ARAI Explores 10% Isobutanol Blending with Diesel

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is exploring the possibility of blending 10% isobutanol with diesel. He was speaking at the annual conclave of the India Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA).

Past Trials with Ethanol Blends

Mr. Gadkari noted that while trials of 10% ethanol-diesel blends were unsuccessful, isobutanol showed better promise. The compound is also being considered for standalone fuel use.

Diesel Demand in India

Diesel accounts for 40% of India’s oil consumption, reaching 91.4 million tonnes in FY25, a 2% increase from the previous year. Even a 10% isobutanol blend could open a multi-billion-rupee opportunity for the biofuel and allied industries.

Properties of Isobutanol

Isobutanol is an alcoholic compound with flammable properties, widely used as a solvent in paints and coatings. As a biofuel derived from ethanol using fermentation, it has higher energy density and is less corrosive than ethanol, making it suitable for blending with diesel.

Production Sources

Isobutanol can be produced from:

• Petrochemicals: primarily via carbonylation of propylene
• Renewable biomass: such as corn, wheat, and sugarcane through biological fermentation using engineered microbes like yeast or E. coli