India has moved to support the commercialisation of an indigenous second-generation diesel-equivalent biofuel technology that can produce renewable diesel and naptha alternative from agricultural waste and agro-processing residues.
The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science & Technology, has extended support to Pune-based Greenjoules Private Limited for its project titled “Manufacturing of 2nd Generation Diesel Equivalent Biofuel”, the Ministry of Science & Technology said on Thursday, 5 June.
The project aims to set up a commercial-scale greenfield manufacturing facility for the production of Abhilasha Biofuels (ABF), a next-generation renewable diesel and naphtha alternative developed through indigenous technology.
ABF has been designed as a “drop-in” fuel, which means it can directly replace conventional fossil-based diesel without requiring changes to existing engines, fuel systems or distribution infrastructure.
The ministry said this makes the technology a practical and scalable option for decarbonising transportation and industrial energy consumption.
The fuel is produced through thermo-chemical conversion processes that transform agricultural residues and agro-industrial waste into renewable fuels.
The process combines thermal cracking, catalytic upgrading and downstream refining technologies to produce biofuels with quality specifications comparable to their fossil-derived counterparts.
According to the ministry, the fuel has already been successfully produced from nearly 40 different feedstocks, showing its adaptability to India’s diverse biomass resources.
Greenjoules’ proprietary expertise lies in identifying suitable biomass blends and matching them with customised catalyst systems to improve fuel yields and production efficiency.
“While individual process steps are known industrial practices, the company’s unique integration of feedstock selection, catalyst optimization, and process engineering constitutes its core intellectual property and enables commercially viable production of advanced biofuels from low-value agricultural waste,” the ministry said.
The project will also enhance the company’s ability to produce renewable diesel, renewable naphtha, biochar and gaseous fuels, creating a broader waste-to-energy ecosystem.
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By converting agricultural residues that are often burned or discarded into energy products, the technology is aimed at supporting clean energy adoption, reducing stubble burning, strengthening rural value chains and lowering dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The ministry said the initiative aligns with India’s National Biofuel Policy, circular economy objectives and wider efforts to promote sustainable industrial development through domestic technologies.
TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said advanced biofuels derived from agricultural residues represent a critical pathway towards energy security, environmental sustainability and rural economic development.
“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,” Pathak said.
He added that such innovations can help supplement India’s growing energy requirements and reduce reliance on imported crude oil and petroleum products.
Greenjoules said the support 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 said the project marks an important step towards building a cleaner, self-reliant and energy-secure future for India.
