The Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Ethanol Association (GEA) to promote ethanol as a sustainable green fuel, with a primary focus on the marine sector. In addition, the collaboration will support ethanol applications in road transport and civil aviation, reinforcing the role of biofuels in the global energy transition. The MoU marks an important step toward closer international cooperation in bioenergy and low-carbon fuels, particularly in addressing emissions from hard-to-abate sectors such as maritime transport.
Agreement Signals Deeper International Collaboration
The agreement was formally signed by Sanjay Ganjoo, Director General of IFGE, and Morten Jacobsen, Secretary General of GEA. Through the partnership, both organisations aim to accelerate the adoption of ethanol as a commercially viable and environmentally sustainable fuel option. Moreover, the collaboration aligns with global decarbonisation goals by supporting low-carbon solutions for shipping while extending its impact to automobiles and aviation.
Focus on Innovation, Policy, and Market Development
Under the MoU, IFGE and GEA will jointly work to advance ethanol as a viable marine fuel to support the decarbonisation of global shipping. The partnership will prioritise innovation, policy advocacy, and market development, ensuring that ethanol-based solutions gain broader acceptance across multiple transport segments.
In parallel, GEA will share its global expertise, including research publications, technical assessments, and international best practices. Both organisations will also undertake joint promotional and advocacy initiatives to highlight ethanol’s potential as a clean, scalable, and cost-effective fuel.
Industry Leaders Highlight Strategic Importance
Atul Mulay, Chairman of the IFGE BioEnergy Committee and President of Praj Industries, described the MoU as a major step in building international market linkages for ethanol, particularly in emerging applications such as marine fuels. He further noted that the collaboration will unlock new business opportunities and open global markets for IFGE members and Indian companies across the entire ethanol value chain.
GEA Backs India’s Green Energy Ambitions
GEA Secretary General Morten Jacobsen termed the partnership a pivotal milestone in advancing global decarbonisation efforts. He emphasised that GEA is keen to support India’s rapidly expanding green energy sector and help IFGE and its members access emerging international markets for Indian-produced sustainable fuels. According to Jacobsen, the collaboration will strengthen global cooperation and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy solutions in maritime transport, civil aviation, and road mobility. He also highlighted that GEA’s founding members are fully aligned with this vision and remain committed to positioning ethanol as a cornerstone of a low-carbon transportation future.
Joint Knowledge Sharing to Build Ethanol Ecosystem
As part of the collaboration, IFGE will actively engage with GEA to evaluate market opportunities and assess the feasibility of ethanol-based green energy solutions in India and overseas markets. Additionally, the two organisations will jointly conduct knowledge-sharing initiatives, including workshops, seminars, and stakeholder consultations. As reported by bioenergytimes.com, these engagements will bring together policymakers, industry experts, ship owners, port authorities, fuel suppliers, and other key stakeholders to strengthen the ethanol-based marine fuel ecosystem and accelerate its adoption globally.
