Bio-based feedstocks: The Indian model

How is India advancing responsible bio-based feedstocks?

Sangeeta Srivastava: Today’s geopolitical tensions are forcing the global chemical value chain to reevaluate its dependence on bio-based raw materials for fuels and chemicals. India, the world’s third-largest ethanol producer, is a premier example of how proactive policy drives this bio-based transformation. By progressively increasing bioethanol blending targets up to 30% in fuels, the government has created the robust demand necessary for the industry to achieve true commercial scale. At Godavari Biorefineries, we have built upon this foundation through dedicated research and scalable feedstock innovation. Utilising responsibly sourced sugarcane, we convert bioethanol into higher-value, sustainable intermediates like bio-butanol—a critical building block for the next generation of more sustainable coatings and acrylates.

Crucially, we secure this supply from the ground up. By partnering directly with smallholder farmers, we strengthen better labor rights and social conditions, deploy modern agricultural technologies and regenerative practices to improve soil health and boost crop yields. This continuous innovation and co-creation at the farm level ensures that our productivity gains protect food security, delivering scalable, non-food feedstocks that empower global material science.

What challenges remain in scaling sustainable bio-based feedstocks?

Srivastava: Scaling sustainable bio-based feedstocks creates opportunities to further optimise the entire system. While feedstock availability is seasonal, we see a catalyst for continual innovation. To address seasonality and ensure a reliable supply chain, our integrated biorefinery model is designed for maximum operational flexibility. Furthermore, our direct collaboration with smallholder farmers on regenerative agriculture focuses heavily on resource efficiency, drastically optimising water and land use to ensure our yields grow without straining local ecosystems. Still, broader market adoption requires absolute trust, and certification and traceability systems are evolving to meet this need.

Godavari is proactively championing this transparency. By offering Bonsucro/USDA-certified bio-based products and maintaining a clear, auditable line of sight from the farmer’s field to the final chemical intermediate, we are delivering the robust lifecycle assessment (LCA) data that brand owners demand. Farm-to-factory traceability builds confidence across the value chain, actively de-risking the transition toward sustainable materials.

What are the advantages of ethanol-derived bio-based intermediates for the coatings industry?

Srivastava: The development of ethanol-based value chains both enables and accelerates the production of higher-value bio-based intermediates. Over time, bio-based derivatives such as bio-butanol offer a more predictable cost base compared to petrochemical feedstocks, which are exposed to crude oil volatility. This creates a strong foundation for scalable and competitive solutions.

Reading tip

This interview is part of a two piece series. We also spoke to Julie Haevermans, Vice President of Marketing, Coating Solutions, and Richard Jenkins, Senior Vice President, Coating Solutions, of Arkema, who is working with Godavari Biorefineries, abouthow industry collaboration, regional priorities, and supply chain dynamics are shaping the future of bio-based technologies.

Event Tip:

The Sustainable Coatings Conference, which takes please November 3 and 4 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, will provide practical insights into low‑carbon technologies, circular economy approaches, bio‑based and water‑based systems, and robust assessment methods such as LCA and mass balance. Learn how the industry is responding to regulatory pressure, customer expectations, and material constraints – and how sustainability can become a measurable business advantage rather than a compliance burden.

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