Exploring Compressed Biomass Fuel plus Pricing Patterns in the Indian Market
India’s renewable energy ecosystem is progressing fast, with biomass standing out as a major element in eco-friendly industrial functioning. Among its multiple variants, biomass briquettes have become an highly favoured option for coal and other fossil fuels due to their affordability, renewability, and eco-friendly attributes. The growing market for briquette coal and bio-based fuels reflects India’s move toward self-sufficient energy and carbon reduction.
As industries shift to cleaner fuels, tracking the briquettes price per kg plays a major role for decision-making. Prices vary depending on feedstock availability, production technology, regional demand, and transportation costs — all of which impact the competitiveness of biomass-based energy against conventional fuels.
Biomass as a Pillar of India’s Renewable Energy
India produces millions of tonnes of agricultural residues every year, including rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, sawdust, and cotton stalks. Instead of letting these residues go to waste, they are now converted into bio mass briquettes that act as sustainable energy sources. Biomass constitutes a significant portion of India’s renewable energy generation, aiding in rural development, employment, and waste reduction.
The government’s ongoing initiatives under the National Bioenergy Programme work to enhance biofuel and briquette usage across industrial sectors, from manufacturing and textiles to cement and power plants.
Briquettes Price Per Kg – Market Overview
The briquettes price per kg in India typically ranges between ?6 and ?10, depending on factors such as material composition, production scale, and moisture content. For instance, briquettes made from hardwood sawdust generally command a higher price than those produced from agricultural residues due to their higher calorific value and lower ash content.
Prices can change regionally — areas with abundant feedstock like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab often see lower production costs than regions with limited agricultural residues. Additionally, transport and handling expenses can raise prices by ?1–?2 per kg when briquettes are shipped over long distances.
How Briquette Coal Differs from Conventional Coal
Briquette coal is a sustainable alternative to conventional coal. While coal offers higher energy density, it causes significant air pollution and carbon emissions. In contrast, biomass briquettes are carbon-neutral — the CO? emitted during combustion is offset by the carbon absorbed during the growth of the biomass.
Moreover, briquettes burn cleaner, generate low ash, and remove sulphur pollutants found in fossil-based fuels. For industries seeking to achieve environmental compliance standards, switching to briquettes delivers economic and environmental benefits.
Financial Advantages of Biomass Briquettes
The financial viability of using biomass briquettes goes beyond just fuel costs. Industries enjoy advantages such as:
1. Lower operational costs: Biomass briquettes can cut down boiler fuel expenses by up to 25–30% relative to coal.
2. Reduced maintenance: Minimal ash generation ensures lower cleaning and maintenance costs for equipment.
3. Government incentives: Policies promoting renewable energy provide subsidies and carbon credits for using biomass-based fuels.
4. Stable supply chain: As agricultural waste is locally available, industries deal with minimal interruptions compared to imported coal or oil.
The long-term savings and environmental gains render biomass briquettes an commonly adopted choice among Indian manufacturers.
Hurdles in Biomass Briquette Implementation
Despite the clear advantages, widespread adoption of bio mass briquettes experiences certain challenges:
- Seasonal feedstock availability: Agricultural residues differ with crop cycles, affecting year-round production stability.
- Logistics and storage: Briquettes need properly ventilated and moisture-free storage to maintain calorific value and prevent degradation.
- Awareness and technology gap: Many small-scale industries still struggle with knowledge about efficient briquette coal biomass combustion systems.
Addressing these challenges through improved supply chain management and advanced briquetting technology may strengthen the industry further.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
Using biomass in India helps considerably with reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Every tonne of briquettes used in place of coal prevents approximately 1.6 tonnes of CO? emissions. Additionally, it reduces stubble burning — a major environmental concern in northern India — by providing an alternative application for agricultural waste.
Sustainability is also boosted by the circular economy approach, where waste from one industry acts as a resource for another. Farmers obtain added revenue from selling crop residues, while industries obtain a renewable, affordable energy source.
Outlook for Biomass Briquettes in India
The market outlook for biomass fuels looks promising, driven by rising industrial awareness, stricter emission regulations, and the nation’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. With rising fossil bio mass briquettes fuel costs and government support for renewable energy, the briquettes price per kg should normalise as production scales up and technology improves.
Furthermore, the integration of digital trading platforms for biomass procurement is enhancing transparency and accessibility, helping buyers and sellers establish fair pricing models. As India’s energy transition moves forward, biomass briquettes are set to play an essential role in balancing sustainability, affordability, and reliability.
Final Thoughts
The growth of biomass in India represents a crucial step toward a greener energy future. Briquette coal and bio mass briquettes strengthen industrial efficiency but also minimise dependence on polluting fossil fuels. With competitive briquettes price per kg, government policy support, and expanding market infrastructure, India’s biomass sector is ready to flourish. As awareness spreads and technology advances, biomass-based energy is expected to energise sustainable industrial growth while aiding in environmental preservation.