Amul, India’s leading dairy cooperative, has completed a successful large-scale trial of converting whey into bioethanol at a facility in Bharuch, Gujarat. The trial is part of the country’s push toward renewable energy under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program. With a projected revenue increase of ₹700 crore, Amul plans to scale up bioethanol production, benefiting its 3.6 million farmer-owners and supporting environmental sustainability.
Amul, India’s largest dairy cooperative managed by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), has successfully completed a large-scale trial converting whey—a byproduct of cheese and paneer production—into bioethanol. The trial took place at the Shree Narmada Khand Udhyog Sahkari Mandli Ltd facility in Bharuch, Gujarat, where 4.5 lakh litres of whey produced 20,000 litres of rectified spirit with an ethanol content of 96.71%, achieving a 4.4% recovery rate.
Amul plans to increase this yield to 8% and invest ₹70 crore in setting up a dedicated bioethanol plant with a capacity to produce 50,000 litres daily. The initiative is a step in support of India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program, which targets a 20% ethanol blend in petrol by 2025 to reduce crude oil imports and carbon emissions.
Amul currently processes around 3 million litres of whey each day from its cheese production facilities in Khatraj, Palanpur, and Himatnagar in Gujarat, and over 15 paneer plants across India. The cooperative aims to use this volume to produce renewable fuel, generating an estimated ₹700 crore in additional revenue. This amount will be shared with its 3.6 million farmer-members through enhanced milk prices.
Amul is also considering partnerships with existing sugar cooperative ethanol plants within Gujarat to scale the initiative. This move reflects a broader trend in the Indian dairy industry towards sustainability and circular economy practices, turning dairy waste into valuable energy.
This development positions Amul as a model for dairy cooperatives across India aiming to align business growth with environmental responsibility.
