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Informist, Wednesday, Jul. 23, 2025

--Renuka Sugars Chaturvedi: See India as a key player in circular economy 

--CONTEXT: Renuka Sugars Executive Chairman Chaturvedi at biowaste conclave

--Renuka Sugars Chaturvedi: India generates 500 mln tn agri waste annually

--Renuka Sugars Chaturvedi: Ethanol mfg from molasses revived sugar sector

--Renuka Sugars Chaturvedi: Bagasse, molasses powering India's circular econ

NEW DELHI – India can become a key player in the global circular economy, with the agri waste management sector emerging as a multi-billion-dollar opportunity, Atul Chaturvedi, executive chairman of Shree Renuka Sugars, said at the Agri & Biowaste Conclave Wednesday.

Chaturvedi said India generates nearly 500 million tonnes of agri waste annually, out of the total of 1.3 billion tonnes globally. This waste has the potential to be transformed into value-added products such as biofuels, fertilisers, and sustainable materials, he added. 

Globally, the agri waste market was valued at $17.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to increase to $28.6 billion by 2030. India's agri waste management market was valued at $13.0 billion in 2020 and has been expanding rapidly, Chaturvedi said. 

He said sugar mills have been embracing circular economy practices by re-using by-products such as bagasse, molasses, and press mud to produce ethanol, electricity, and fertilisers. He recalled molasses once being treated as waste and sold at zero cost. But with the ethanol blending programme, molasses have emerged as a de-risking tool for the sugar sector. 

"Something, which was a totally waste material, is now actually one of the major reasons for the recovery and health of the sugar sector," he said. Ethanol production has helped mills make timely payments to sugarcane farmers, he said, adding that India has been pushing the ethanol blending programme to promote green mobility and reduce crude oil import dependency.  End

Reported by Afra Abubacker

Edited by Avishek Dutta

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