Biomass Briquettes in India – Market Trends, Pricing, and Growth Outlook
India’s clean energy sector is seeing remarkable evolution, and biomass briquettes are playing a central role of this change. Derived from agricultural residues such as rice husk, bagasse, sawdust, and groundnut shells, these eco-friendly fuels act as a clean and cost-effective substitute for conventional coal. Rising awareness about sustainable energy, combined with government incentives for renewable adoption, has positioned India’s biomass sector as a strategic solution for industries seeking to reduce both carbon emissions and operational fuel costs.
What Are Biomass Briquettes and Briquette Coal?
Briquette coal are compressed biofuels made by applying high pressure to organic waste materials. Unlike traditional coal, they do not contain harmful additives or emit excessive smoke, making them ideal for use in boilers, furnaces, and power plants. These briquettes come in varied forms such as cylindrical or square blocks, depending on the briquetting machine.
The production technique enhances the calorific value of agricultural residues, providing efficient combustion and energy yield. This makes bio mass briquettes a sustainable alternative for industries in cement, textile, steel, and food processing sectors transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Current Briquettes Price per kg in India
The briquettes price per kg in India changes depending on input resource levels, regional market conditions, and seasonal demand. Current reports indicate that prices generally fall between ?6 and ?10 per kg for regular biomass briquettes. Premium varieties featuring enhanced energy output or specialised compositions may fetch prices of ?12–?14 per kg.
Prices often go up during low residue availability months when raw material supply is limited. Similarly, heightened consumption in manufacturing hubs like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu can push rates upward. Conversely, during harvest seasons when residues like bagasse and rice husk are abundant, prices may remain steady or decline.
Regional Insights into India’s Biomass Market
The demand for biomass in India differs by region, largely depending on industrial presence and raw material availability.
- Western India (Maharashtra, Gujarat): A manufacturing hub, this region leads in biomass utilisation due to proximity to agriculture-based raw materials supplying bagasse and cotton stalks.
- Northern India (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh): Rich in agricultural output, it offers abundant paddy husk and wheat straw, fuelling high-volume briquette production and biomass energy projects.
- Southern India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh): Industrial sectors such as textiles and food processing are increasingly adopting biomass for cost-effective energy generation.
- Eastern India (Odisha, West Bengal): A developing biomass market where industries are exploring biomass to replace imported coal.
Factors Affecting Briquette Coal Pricing
Multiple factors influence bio coal pricing across the country:
1. Raw Material Type and Quality: Agricultural residues with better combustion quality such as hardwood sawdust and bagasse increase production costs but improve efficiency.
2. Moisture Content: Lower moisture improves combustion and fuel performance, affecting the overall price.
3. Transportation and Logistics: Due to the bulkiness of briquettes, shipping plays a major cost role, particularly over long distances.
4. Seasonal Demand: Winter seasons see higher industrial fuel usage, often resulting in temporary price hikes.
5. Government Policies: Supportive schemes and incentives for renewable energy can help stabilise market pricing and encourage production expansion.
Key Industrial Sectors Using Biomass Briquettes
Across India, eco briquettes are increasingly replacing conventional fuels. Major applications include:
- **Boilers and Steam Generation:** Used in textile, paper, and food industries for their uniform heating and low ash output.
- **Power Plants:** Biomass-based units often use mixed fuel models to cut emissions and meet renewable quotas.
- **Brick Kilns and Metal Furnaces:** High briquette coal calorific value makes briquettes suitable for industrial heating operations.
- **Rural Energy Use:** Promoted in rural cooking and heating, reducing firewood dependency.
Environmental and Economic Advantages
Switching to bio mass fuel offers numerous benefits:
- **Reduced Carbon Emissions:** Produces much less CO?, SO?, and NOx bio mass briquettes than coal.
- **Efficient Waste Utilisation:** Converts agricultural residues that would otherwise be burned into valuable fuel.
- **Employment Generation:** Encourages community-level employment in collection, processing, and transport.
- **Energy Independence:** Enables industries to reduce fossil fuel imports.
Growth Prospects for Biomass Briquettes
India’s biomass potential remains significant yet unexplored. With growing renewable momentum, the market for bio briquettes is expected to expand steadily. Emerging trends such as decentralised bioenergy models will further boost adoption.
Government programs promoting waste-to-energy projects are likely to encourage more capital inflows, leading to upgradation of briquetting units. Innovations in automated presses will ensure enhanced product uniformity and sustainable pricing.
Summing Up
The biomass briquette price per kg and overall biomass market trends in India reflect a expanding sector moving toward mainstream acceptance. As environmental awareness deepens, briquette coal and biomass fuel blocks continue to emerge as reliable and efficient alternatives to coal. With progressive policies and rising demand from manufacturing sectors, the outlook for biomass in India remains encouraging, paving the path for a greener and sustainable future.