In a pivotal decision, India has officially opened its doors to the export of second-generation (2G) ethanol destined for fuel purposes. This announcement, made by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) earlier this week, signifies a crucial expansion beyond the previous allowance for non-fuel applications.
The government’s new policy permits the export of 2G ethanol for both fuel and non-fuel uses. However, these exports are subject to strict compliance, requiring valid export authorization and precise feedstock certification from the appropriate competent authorities.
For clarity, 2G ethanol is specifically defined as ethanol derived from cellulosic or lignocellulosic feedstocks. This includes materials like agricultural residues, woody biomass, and algae – crucial sources that do not compete with food crops. Furthermore, the exported ethanol must meet the exacting BIS 15,464 specifications.
Beyond the fundamental DGFT export authorization, exporters will need to secure several key documents. These include certificates verifying the origin of the feedstock, comprehensive quality test reports from accredited laboratories, and all necessary safety documentation. Moreover, adherence to the specific import requirements of the destination country is mandatory.
To ensure traceability and quality, feedstock origin certificates can be issued either by the relevant State Excise Department or by a Third-Party Inspection Agency officially accredited under NABCB. It is paramount that the details provided in these certificates are clearly and accurately linked to their corresponding batch and invoice for complete transparency.