Interview: Vijay Nirani

Managing Director at TruAlt Bioenergy

TruAlt Bioenergy’s Vijay Nirani on Building India’s First Biofuel-First OMC and the Road Ahead

July 03, 2025. By Abha Rustagi

In the initial rollout, we plan to launch over 100 strategically located fuel stations across Karnataka and Maharashtra, said Vijay Nirani, Managing Director of TruAlt Bioenergy, in an interview with Abha Rustagi, Associate Editor, Energetica India.

Que: TruAlt is India’s first biofuel-first private OMC. What does this mean for you personally and for the company?

Ans: Securing OMC status marks a defining milestone in TruAlt Bioenergy’s journey. It empowers us to directly serve India’s evolving fuel needs while accelerating the shift toward cleaner energy. Personally, I feel it validates our belief that biofuels are not just an alternative but a central pillar of India’s sustainable mobility future. As a company, this authorisation enables us to bring biofuels and conventional fuels under one retail roof, expand our rural footprint, support local economies, and strengthen our farm-to-fuel circular model, returning health to the soil and wealth to the farmer.


Que: How do you envision TruAlt’s role evolving in the Indian fuel retail ecosystem now that you’re authorised to sell petrol, diesel, ethanol, Bio-CNG, and EV services?

Ans: As one of the first private OMCs with a biofuel-first approach, our retail model integrates conventional fuels with next-generation clean alternatives like ethanol-blended petrol, Bio-CNG, EV charging and battery swapping creating a seamless multi-energy experience tailored for a transitioning nation. Backed by strong manufacturing capacity and deep-rooted rural linkages, we’re uniquely positioned to deliver decentralised, future-ready green energy access at scale. By sourcing from Indian farmers and converting agri-residue and organic waste into clean fuels, we are turning rural produce into national power. Every litre sold strengthens the farm economy, reduces fossil fuel imports and brings India closer to true energy independence. We're not just greening transport, we're making it inclusive, economically rooted and strategically sovereign. Through this bold, integrated model, TruAlt is set to transform India's mobility landscape. We’re enabling cleaner commutes, expanding green fuel choices, accelerating EV adoption and redefining what a fuel station can be - a smart, sustainable and self-reliant energy hub that powers India forward.


Que: Could you share more details about the first phase of your 100+ retail outlets? What locations are being prioritised and why?

Ans: In the initial rollout, we plan to launch over 100 strategically located fuel stations across Karnataka and Maharashtra. These states have been prioritised for their robust mobility networks and infrastructure readiness. In line with our commitment to inclusive fuel access, at least 5 percent of these outlets will be established in notified remote areas, supporting the government’s vision for last-mile energy connectivity. This expansion will deliver both conventional and renewable fuel options, including ethanol, Bio-CNG, and EV services, while generating over 2,000 jobs and contributing to local economic development.


Que: How is TruAlt contributing to India’s target of 20 percent ethanol blending by 2025, and how do you ensure the sustainability and scalability of your ethanol and Bio-CNG supply chain?

Ans: As a key contributor to India’s Ethanol Blending Programme, TruAlt Bioenergy commands a 7 percent share in molasses-based ethanol and 3.7 percent of the country’s total ethanol supply. With India achieving a national average blend of 19.7 percent in February 2025, we are proud to be among the pivotal enablers of this transition toward cleaner fuels.

Our contribution is rooted in a model that is both deeply local and strategically scalable. We source biomass and agri-residue directly from farmers, converting waste into wealth through our farm-to-fuel ecosystem. This strengthens rural incomes, discourages stubble burning, and transforms agriculture into a consistent source of clean energy ensuring feedstock security without compromising food security. Moreover, our integrated model generates co-products like organic manure, reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and restoring soil health.

Looking ahead, the national push for flex-fuel vehicles will be a game-changer expanding the consumer base for ethanol and accelerating its adoption across India’s mobility landscape. With policy momentum and rising demand converging, our model is well-positioned to scale rapidly while staying environmentally and economically sustainable.

As we diversify into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), 2nd Generation Ethanol, and other future fuels, our focus remains clear: to build a clean energy ecosystem rooted in rural empowerment, climate responsibility and national self-reliance.


Que: What kind of policy or regulatory support would further accelerate biofuel adoption and retail competitiveness for private players?

Ans: The Indian government has already laid an impressive foundation through progressive and well-structured policies — from the National Policy on Biofuels and the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme to initiatives like SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) and the PM Ji-VAN Yojana for advanced biofuels. These efforts are truly commendable and have catalysed significant momentum across the value chain.

What’s now most anticipated is a robust, forward-looking policy framework around Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). A clear mandate or incentive mechanism for SAF will not only encourage early investment and innovation from private players but also position India as a global hub for green aviation fuel. With the right policy enablers, India has the potential to lead the world in scalable, affordable, and sustainable biofuels across all mobility sectors.


Que: Are there any R&D initiatives or diversification plans that TruAlt is exploring?

Ans: We are actively advancing our entry into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with plans to establish a facility with an annual capacity of 10 crore litres. This would likely position TruAlt among the world’s largest producers of SAF from ethanol and support India’s emergence as a global leader in sustainable aviation. This move reflects our broader strategy to scale up the biofuels value chain and tap into high-growth global markets.

In parallel, we are also exploring opportunities in bio-elastomers, bio-chemicals and other high-value products derived from biomass. These diversified pathways allow us to maximise the economic and environmental potential of agri-based feedstocks, while contributing to the development of a robust, circular bioeconomy.


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