Revolutionizing the Bioenergy Sector: Unveiling the Impact of Digitalization and Innovation through BiofuelCircle’s Marketplace
CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Ashwin Save, Co-founder & COO, BiofuelCircle
- How has your perspective on the bioenergy industry and its technological advancements changed over the last few years?
As BiofuelCircle completes three years, it has never been clearer that the only way to disrupt the biofuel sector is through digitalisation. Previous methods to transform the sector through government policy, directives, and incentives have not been sufficient to create the pervasive systemic change to harness the untapped potential within bioenergy. India is very close to a tipping point when it comes to digital technology. The stage for a technology platform like ours is perfectly set with the proliferation of smartphones and the strengthening of digital payment infrastructure. Any effective intervention in the biofuel sector must simultaneously involve and connect the farmers, MSMEs, and large industries. Digitalisation can do this efficiently, cost effectively and at scale. One of the primary problems facing the sector is that farmers and small business owners lack access to the wider market. Digital technology levels the playing field and equips everyone with information about prices and market trends. It also empowers industries and business owners to strike more deals with the assurance that the platform will take care of the delivery, payment, and other necessary verifications. The platform also enables many new finance opportunities by opening access to better credit. And finally, what may be the greatest value of the platform is that it enables green traceability and green credits catalysing India’s green transition.
- Please tell us about your core product. How do you see the impact of BiofuelCircle’s technology within the biofuel sector?
BiofuelCircle is pioneering a one-of-its-kind online marketplace in India, dedicated to biomass and biofuels. This innovative platform combines advanced digital technology with a well-structured physical ecosystem to unite the stakeholders of the bioenergy supply chain across different regions of India. By doing so, we are not only fostering business growth but also cultivating fresh prospects within the Farm-to-Fuel sector. In the process, we are trying to promote a circular economy for agri-waste, empowering rural communities, and actively contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions.
We intend to solve problems which are starkly visible. In India, small, dispersed farms make mechanization challenging, leading to inefficient waste disposal. In India, the small and widely dispersed farms pose a challenge for mechanization, leading to inefficient waste disposal practices. Many farmers resort to burning waste due to its convenience and cost-effectiveness. Agri residue production primarily occurs in rural areas, while the demand is concentrated in more developed markets. BiofuelCircle has taken the initiative to bridge these gaps through its innovative marketplace platform. We serve as the vital link between buyers and sellers, extending their reach, providing essential decision-making tools, offering transparent price information, ensuring equal access for all stakeholders, and managing the complexities of transport and logistics.
Through our cloud-based marketplace, we not only seek to address all the challenges related to the bioenergy supply chain but also make a positive impact on the economy, community, and the environment around us.
- How BiofuelCircle is enabling a farm-to-fuel economy for every participant?
At ground level, there are companies utilizing solid biofuels as a sustainable alternative to coal. Various industries like food, pharmaceuticals, dairy, paint, rubber, and tires rely on steam for their processes, traditionally generated by heating water in a boiler by burning coal. However, many prominent companies are committed to carbon neutrality and carbon footprint reduction. BiofuelCircle plays a pivotal role in assisting these companies in transitioning from coal to briquettes and pellets, which essentially function as bio-coal derived from agricultural residue.
On the other side, farmers serve as the primary producers of raw materials for biofuels, while the entities in the middle of the supply chain are responsible for transforming agri-residue into valuable biofuels, such as briquettes and pellets. This is the niche market that BiofuelCircle focuses on, facilitating the transition towards eco-friendly and sustainable energy solutions.
- What obstacles do you encounter when implementing this technology, and what strategies do you employ to overcome them?
We firmly believe that the digitalisation is going to be the key enabler in this supply chain, to unlock the bioenergy potential of India. It’s a common mistake to associate hi-tech with progress: what is required is advanced, yet appropriate technology that makes disruption possible. So, we approached each segment of the supply chain differently when deploying digitalisation. E.g. the consumers of biofuel are typical corporations, with most users accessing the platform from an office. We fine-tuned our web-app for such large entities, as few corporate IT departments we uncomfortable operating a mobile app for enterprise applications. One the other hand, one of the challenges with our biomass processors was that they were rarely sitting in their offices. We found most of them travel quite a bit, and even when they are aren’t traveling, they are usually up and about in their manufacturing plants. Hence to make access easier for them, we focussed processor/ seller related functionality in our mobile app. In case of farmers & Biomass Bank operators, WhatsApp was the most popular means of communication. A new mobile app meant a new learning curve. So, we built a WhatsApp bot that helped them transact in a conversational mode. We are in the process of deploying smart sensors that will automatically pick-up most data, this reducing the need for human input.
Thus, the use of appropriate yet advanced technology helps us ease the introduction of digitalisation.
- Please define the role of logistics in the Bioenergy Supply chain.
In the bioenergy supply chain, logistics holds a pivotal role by efficiently managing the movement of biomass, biofuels, and associated materials from producers to consumers. This involves key functions like selecting suitable transportation methods, ensuring proper inventory management, overseeing storage facilities, maintaining quality control, and implementing supply chain visibility systems for real-time tracking. Cost efficiency is another crucial aspect, achieved through optimizing routes, reducing fuel consumption, and minimizing handling costs. Additionally, logistics contributes to sustainability by promoting eco-friendly transportation methods and reducing environmental impact. Overall, it plays an indispensable role in streamlining the entire bioenergy supply chain to ensure a consistent, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible flow of resources.
Our platform not only provides access for publishing requirements, getting offers, and selecting the most appropriate vendor. It also manages logistics for extending the coverage and creates ease of operations. With multiple transporters registered on the platform, we offer a competitive pricing. We also provide flexibility to schedule and transport as per the requirements which helps in achieving operational efficiency.
