Centre permits export of 2G ethanol for fuel purposes

India has permitted export of second generation (2G) ethanol for fuel purposes.

“Additional policy condition for export of 2G ethanol is notified with immediate effect,” Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said earlier this week on the government decision expanding scope of the export beyond non-fuel purposes.

The exports are permitted for fuel and non-fuel purposes, subject to valid export authorisation and feedstock certification from the relevant competent authority, it said. 2G ethanol refers to ethanol produced from cellulosic or lignocellulosic feedstocks such as agricultural residues, woody biomass and algae that do not compete with food crops and meets BIS 15,464 specifications, the DGFT said.

Apart from a valid export authorisation from DGFT, certificates related to feedstock origin, quality tests from accredited laboratories and safety documentation, as applicable, besides compliance with destination country requirements will be required for the export, it said. The certificates of origin for feedstock can be issued by the State Excise Department concerned or an authorised Third Party Inspection Agency accredited under NABCB. The details in such certificates should be clearly linked with the corresponding batch and invoice.