Praj Industries has launched “Praj BioVerse,” a new initiative unveiled today as part of the World Biofuel Day 2025 celebrations in Pune. The event marked a significant milestone, celebrating ten years of World Biofuel Day in India. The occasion was graced by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, along with special guests Sanjay Kirloskar (MCCIA & CMD, Kirloskar Brothers) and Vikram Gulati (Country Head & Executive V.P., Toyota Kirloskar Motor). To commemorate the decade-long journey of World Biofuel Day in India, Praj also released the memoir of its Founder-Chairman, Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, titled Horizons Beyond Dreams … As Is What Is, highlighting the company’s enduring commitment to innovation, collaboration, and a sustainable biofuel future.
Follow the live coverage of the event below:
20:05 IST: Atul Mulay proposes the vote of thanks
Atul Mulay, President – Bioenergy, Praj Industries Ltd, proposed the vote of thanks for Praj BioVerse, expressing gratitude to all the distinguished guests, partners, and participants for their support and contributions to the event’s success.
He said, ” Today we have witnessed the unveiling of ‘Horizons Beyond Dreams…. As is what is’ and celebrated a significant milestone in India’s bioenergy journey. I would like to acknowledge the visionary leadership of our Hon’ble Minister, Nitin Gadkari, and our Founder Chairman, Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, rightly known as the ‘Ethanol Man of India’, for his pioneering role in advancing bioenergy.
My heartfelt thanks to the Praj Board of Directors for enabling the creation of this BIOVERSE experience, and to our partners, including the National Sugar Institute, Praj BSI Centre of Excellence in Agriculture, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, and other scientific collaborators, for their contributions to joint research, innovation, and certification readiness for higher biofuel adoption.
Special appreciation goes to our automotive partners for testing 100% ethanol engines, demonstrating the potential to replace conventional fuels without compromising performance. I would like to thank Mrs. Gauri, Dr. Rahul Saha and his team of scientists, Firoz Khan, and leaders from the mobility and research sectors who have made this possible.
We are also grateful to ChiniMandi and BioEnergy Times for giving the industry a voice, to Sanjay Kirloskar and the engineering business community for their support, and to Vishal Soni of Vishwakarma Publications for bringing Dr. Chaudhari’s story to the world.
My thanks to all our technology partners, event collaborators, the JW Marriott Pune staff, and the entire Praj team for making this possible. BIOVERSE is proof of what can happen when innovation, industry, research, and policy come together for a common cause.
Let us continue to innovate, collaborate, and lead the world towards a cleaner, greener future.
19: 59 IST: Nitin Gadkari outlines vision for India’s green energy future: from biofuels to electric vehicles and hydrogen
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, speaking at the event in Pune, shared an ambitious vision for India’s energy and automotive future, underscoring the transformational role of sustainable technologies.
He stated that burning of rice straw has significantly reduced, thanks to alternative uses like biofuel production, and emphasized that “conversion of knowledge into wealth” is the path forward for India. Highlighting innovation in infrastructure, he added that municipal waste is being used to build highways across several cities, demonstrating the power of circular economy models.
Gadkari also revealed that he recently met with the Chairman of Mercedes-Benz and announced that India will soon export Mercedes EVs, marking a significant step in India’s emergence as a global electric vehicle hub. “With the kind of research and innovation we’re undertaking, I’m confident India will become the number one automobile manufacturing country,” he said.
He further emphasized that India is on track to become an energy-exporting nation, driven by biofuels, green hydrogen, and other alternative energy sources.
Calling for greater focus on bamboo cultivation, Gadkari urged Praj Industries to explore its potential in bioenergy applications. He also highlighted green hydrogen as the fuel of the future, requesting Praj to play a leading role in this transformative sector.
Touching on flex-fuel technology, he noted, “I’ve been using a Toyota flex-fuel vehicle for a year, it’s both fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.” He expressed confidence that construction equipment will also transition to FFVs (Flex-Fuel Vehicles) in the near future.
Looking ahead, Gadkari envisioned a future where green energy revenues empower India’s rural landscape. “Our farmers will not just grow food, but also fuel for the aviation sector, construction machinery, and more. The day we no longer import fossil fuels, we’ll know we’ve achieved something truly historic.”
19:45 IST: Nitin Gadkari highlights the importance of isobutanol
Highlighting the future of sustainable energy, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that IsoButanol is emerging as an important bio-based fuel, particularly as an alternative to traditional diesel. He also emphasized ongoing efforts to develop and scale biodiesel, which offers a cleaner substitute for diesel engines.
In a major win for environmental protection, he noted that the burning of rice straw has significantly reduced, thanks to its use in biofuel production—a move that has helped combat air pollution in several regions.
Gadkari stressed the importance of “converting knowledge into wealth” as the driving force behind India’s green industrial future. He also pointed out innovative infrastructure initiatives, mentioning that municipal waste is now being utilized to construct highways in multiple cities, turning urban waste into national assets.
19:34 IST: Ethanol production has positively impacted the sector: Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized the pivotal role of the automobile industry in India’s economic growth, noting that the country has now overtaken Japan to become the third-largest automobile market in the world. He highlighted that the auto sector is also the significant contributor to the GST, underlining its economic significance.
However, he also pointed out that 40% of the country’s air pollution stems from automobile emissions, making it imperative to adopt cost-effective, import-substituting policies focused on alternative fuels. Such a shift, he stressed, is crucial not only for protecting the environment but also for ensuring energy security and economic stability.
Minister Gadkari reiterated that the move towards biofuels is also a key strategy for rural employment generation. “Agriculture must become more economically viable, we need to increase the agricultural GDP significantly,” he said.
He shared insights into the government’s efforts to diversify agricultural output toward fuel production. Initially, the idea of producing ethanol from maize faced criticism due to the ‘food vs fuel’ debate. However, he noted that ethanol production has positively impacted the sector, corn MSP has risen, and corn acreage has increased significantly as a result.
Ethanol has also helped resolve longstanding issues in the sugarcane industry, particularly delays in cane payment to farmers. “My life’s mission has been to prevent farmer suicides, and that is why I have dedicated my efforts to transforming agriculture through innovation and value addition,” Gadkari further added.
19: 19 IST: Let us reaffirm our commitment to green growth and make India the cleanest, greenest nation: Sanjay Kirloskar at the Praj BioVerse launch
Sanjay Kirloskar, President of MCCIA and CMD of Kirloskar Brothers, said: “Shri Nitin Gadkari has been championing ethanol for decades as a key driver in making India AtmaNirbhar. In fact, he visited Kirloskar 27 years ago and encouraged both Atul and me to begin producing ethanol. Biofuels represent an inclusive and sustainable path forward. Like biofuels, nuclear energy is another vital green fuel that the country must tap into. The dangers of fossil fuels are now well understood, and we are collectively realizing that green energy is the way forward. I urge Shri Gadkari to make Maharashtra a leader in nuclear energy as well. Very soon, India will no longer need to import fossil fuel pumps. We should look at policies which looks at lifecycle cost vs L1 in procurement. At our company, we have already replaced two imported pumps with domestically manufactured ones. However, to ensure the growth of the bioenergy sector, broader institutional support and scaling up are crucial. Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to green growth and work towards making India the cleanest and greenest nation.”
19:15 IST: Dr. Pramod Chadhuri’s book ‘Horizons Beyond Dreams…. As is what is’ launched
The English edition of Dr. Pramod Chaudhari’s inspiring book “Horizons Beyond Dreams… As Is What Is” has now been officially launched.
This marks a significant milestone in bringing Dr. Chaudhari’s vision, insights, and experiences to a wider audience. The book explores the journey of dreams, realities, and the profound wisdom found in accepting life as is.
19:01 IST: Industry has huge opportunity to earn carbon credits globally: Vikram Gulati
Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive V.P. of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said,
“The financial challenges faced by the sugar industry are being addressed through the Ethanol Blending Program (EBP). The amount of carbon savings achieved is tremendous. Encouraged by the Government, the automobile industry has introduced flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which will promote increased ethanol usage. Moving forward, we must work to truly recognise ethanol as a carbon-neutral fuel. This presents a huge opportunity for India to earn carbon credits globally. At COP30, let us collaborate to ensure that ethanol is recognized as carbon neutral.”
18: 56 IST: Hero MotoCorp leads the way in sustainability with flex-fuel technology, ethanol efficiency, and a commitment to customer-centric innovation
Vikram Kasbekar, CEO of Hero MotoCorp, said, “At Hero MotoCorp, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We have successfully reduced emissions and are focusing on Scope 3 by exploring ethanol and alternative fuels. We were the first to develop a flex-fuel vehicle (FFV), and our entire portfolio of vehicles can run on flex fuel. Ethanol delivers efficiency comparable to other auto fuels. Preventive maintenance is essential to ensure optimal performance. Our vehicles in the field are E20 compliant, and we have encountered no issues so far. We are committed to developing products that are customer-centric, and we will collaborate with ethanol companies to create better value for our customers.”
18:50 IST: BioVerse launch: Empowering the next generation for a sustainable India
“As we look towards a Viksit Bharat in 2047, green mobility and circularity will be crucial. Energy self-reliance is a strategic imperative for the nation. We recently witnessed India’s biofuel consolidation at the Experience Gallery, where flex-fuel cars showcased how technology is scaling new heights. This evolving ecosystem, driven by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, sets a powerful example. Today marks the beginning of BioVerse, and we will continue to build from here. This edition is my way of sharing my experience with the younger generation,” Dr Pramod Chaudhari further added.
18:43 IST: Dr. Pramod Chaudhari speaks at the event
Founder-Chairman, Dr. Pramod Chaudhari said at the event that Nitin Gadkari is a pioneer in advancing the biofuel mission in India. This year is especially important as we mark the completion of a decade of India’s biofuel journey. We are launching BioVerse, a new initiative aimed at building a clean and sustainable future. BioVerse is formally aligned with the principles of Atma Bharat and the circular economy. To scale up blending efforts, we can learn valuable lessons from Brazil on how to balance economic growth with environmental protection. I am hopeful that India will achieve higher ethanol blends in the near future. Additionally, the commercialization of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for decarbonizing the aviation industry is no longer a distant possibility.
18:40 IST: Eminent leaders felicitated for their contributions to green energy and innovation at the Praj BioVerse launch
Dr. Pramod Chaudhari felicitates Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on stage, marking a moment of recognition and gratitude. This is followed by the felicitation of Sanjay Kirloskar by Atul Mulay. Vikram Gulati is then honored for his pivotal role in driving the green fuel transition. Vikram Kasbekar is felicitated next, followed by Vishal Soni, the publisher of the book authored by Dr. Pramod Chaudhari.
18: 35 IST : Praj BioVerse officially kicks off
Praj BioVerse, an initiative by Praj Industries, officially launched by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, following the launch of the ethanol-based GenSet from Kirloskar.
18:15 IST: Nitin Gadkari launches Kirloskar generator that runs 100% on ethanol
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, officially launched a groundbreaking generator developed by Kirloskar that runs entirely on 100% ethanol, marking a major step forward in India’s push towards cleaner, renewable energy solutions.
