Sustainable Biodiesel Production in India: Renewable Feedstocks, Catalytic Processes, Fuel Quality, Challenges and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The production of biodiesel from renewable and non-edible feedstocks presents a strategic pathway to strengthen energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate the food-versus-fuel conflict. Biodiesel chemically consists of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) synthesized via the esterification of free fatty acids and the transesterification of triglycerides with short-chain alcohols (such as methanol) in the presence of acid, base, or heterogeneous catalysts. In India, the technological and feedstock landscape focuses heavily on non-edible tree-borne oilseeds (such as Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata) and waste streams like used cooking oil (UCO). While regulatory frameworks like the National Policy on Biofuels and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications provide structured support, commercial scale-up continues to face hurdles including decentralized feedstock supply chains, raw material cost volatility, and strict quality compliance. Addressing these challenges through waste aggregation models, advanced heterogeneous catalysis, and integrated biorefineries can significantly enhance the commercial viability and long-term prospects of India's low-carbon transport transition