Indian Government Extends Supports to Greenjoules for Biofuel Technology

As India accelerates its transition towards cleaner energy sources and circular economy-driven industrial growth, the Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, has extended support to Greenjoules Private Limited for its project titled “Manufacturing of 2nd Generation Diesel Equivalent Biofuel.”

Incorporated in 2018, Greenjoules Private Limited is a Pune-based renewable energy startup that manufactures second-generation (2G) biofuels — specifically diesel-like and petrol-like “drop-in” fuels — from agro-industrial waste.

The project aims to establish a commercial-scale facility to produce advanced biofuels from agricultural waste and agro-processing residues, contributing to India’s energy security, waste-to-wealth mission, and net-zero aspirations.

The proposed project involves establishing a greenfield manufacturing facility to produce Abhilasha Biofuels—a next-generation renewable diesel and naphtha alternative developed entirely through indigenous technology.

Designed as a “drop-in” fuel, Abhilasha Biofuels can directly replace conventional fossil-based diesel without requiring any modifications to existing engines, fuel systems, or distribution infrastructure, making it a practical and scalable solution for decarbonising transportation and industrial energy consumption.

Developed entirely in India, the technology integrates innovative thermo-chemical conversion processes that transform agricultural residues and agro-industrial waste into high-quality renewable fuels.

The process combines thermal cracking, catalytic upgrading, and downstream refining technologies to produce biofuels that meet established quality specifications comparable to their fossil-derived counterparts.

The fuel has already been successfully produced from nearly forty different feedstocks, demonstrating remarkable flexibility and adaptability to India’s diverse biomass resources.

A distinctive feature of the technology lies in Greenjoules’ proprietary expertise in identifying optimal biomass blends and matching them with customised catalyst systems to maximise fuel yields and production efficiency.

While individual process steps are known industrial practices, the company’s unique integration of feedstock selection, catalyst optimisation, and process engineering constitutes its core intellectual property and enables commercially viable production of advanced biofuels from low-value agricultural waste.

The project will further enhance the company’s capabilities to produce renewable diesel, renewable naphtha, biochar, and gaseous fuels, thereby creating a comprehensive waste-to-energy ecosystem.

By converting agricultural residues that are often burned or discarded into valuable energy products, the technology addresses multiple national priorities simultaneously, including reducing stubble burning, promoting clean energy, strengthening rural value chains, and lowering dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The initiative aligns closely with the Government of India’s National Biofuel Policy, circular economy objectives, and broader efforts to promote sustainable industrial development through indigenous technologies.

The initiative also supports the country’s vision of creating robust domestic capabilities in advanced biofuels and alternative energy solutions.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, stated, “Advanced biofuels derived from agricultural residues represent a critical pathway towards achieving energy security, environmental sustainability, and rural economic development.”

He added, “Indigenous technologies that convert waste into high-value fuels not only reduce dependence on fossil fuels but also create new opportunities within the circular economy. Such innovations can play an important role in supplementing the country’s growing energy requirements and reducing reliance on imported crude oil and petroleum products.”

“TDB is committed to supporting technologies that strengthen India’s clean energy ecosystem while delivering tangible economic, environmental, and strategic benefits.” Mr Pathak said. 

Expressing gratitude for the support, the leadership of Greenjoules Private Limited stated that the assistance would help accelerate the commercialisation and scale-up of its indigenous biofuel technology, enabling wider deployment of sustainable fuel solutions across industrial and transportation sectors.

The company emphasised that the project represents an important step towards building a cleaner, self-reliant, and energy-secure future for India.