Indian Oil, India’s largest state-owned oil company, is advocating for government approval to process biodiesel within existing refinery infrastructure to help meet the national goal of a 5% biodiesel blend by 2030.
Alok Sharma, Director of Research and Development at Indian Oil, presented the proposal at the Infineum Conference 2024 in Jaipur, suggesting that co-processing biodiesel with crude oil could improve efficiency and streamline production.
Sharma explained, “We’re proposing to co-process biodiesel in refinery units, allowing us to meet blending mandates more effectively. By integrating biodiesel with diesel processing, we produce a superior fuel, which has already been validated in our R&D efforts.”
The conference, moderated by Autocar India Editor Hormazd Sorabjee, featured industry leaders like RM Petkar, President and CTO of Tata Motors, and Chris Locke, EVP of Commercial at Infineum, who discussed potential pathways for sustainability in India’s energy and automotive sectors.
Despite long-standing government support, biodiesel adoption in India has faced challenges related to raw material supply and processing efficiency. Indian biodiesel production primarily relies on non-edible vegetable oils, animal fats, and waste oils such as used cooking oil (UCO), identified as a viable feedstock in the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018. According to the IEA, meeting the 5% blending target will require approximately 4.5 billion liters of biodiesel annually, necessitating supportive policies on production, pricing, and feedstock.
Adopting biodiesel more widely would reduce India’s dependence on petroleum imports, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and support domestic industries while maintaining diesel performance capabilities.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) is one of India’s largest and most integrated oil and gas companies, playing a pivotal role in the nation’s energy sector since its establishment in 1959. Headquartered in New Delhi, Indian Oil is involved in refining, pipeline transportation, and marketing of petroleum products, as well as exploring new opportunities in renewable energy and alternative fuels.
The company operates a vast network of refineries across the country, producing a wide range of products, including petrol, diesel, and LPG, which are essential for transportation, cooking, and industrial applications.
Indian Oil is also committed to sustainability, investing in cleaner energy solutions and initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. With a robust distribution network and a strong retail presence, including over 50,000 fuel stations, Indian Oil has earned a reputation for reliability and quality, making it a trusted name in the Indian energy landscape. Its dedication to innovation and community welfare further reinforces its position as a leader in driving India’s energy security and economic development.
