Buyofuel is an innovative renewable energy company that focuses on converting waste into high-quality biofuels. The company's CEO, Kishan Karunakaran, has been instrumental in driving Buyofuel's growth and success.

What is your vision of the future with high-performing teams delivering sustainable success & growth for a business? How can other organizations achieve the same?
I believe that the future is bright with high-performing teams leading the way if everyone in the organization aligns with the vision, mission, and culture. But, before that, we should make sure the company’s core values are authentic and that they truly represent the organization's culture. Besides, good communication and trust are essential to creating a successful team that can excel together. Along with it, embracing diverse perspectives, innovations, and calculated risks to stay ahead of the competition is what I feel is significant for any organization to achieve sustainable growth and success.

What are the concerns about using biofuels as energy for transportation and How Biofuel could change the transport sector in India?
There will always be concerns lingering around the use of biofuels since it is emerging as transportation energy. Some argue that biofuel sources require a significant quantity of land, however, it is crucial to remember that existing biofuels are produced using waste as a raw material. The vehicle engine's lifespan and performance are impacted since they were not designed for biofuels. Yet, today, flex fuel engines give us hope for utilizing both biofuel and conventional fuels. Also, whether or not biofuels truly reduce emissions is a matter of constant debate. In reality, biofuels do reduce direct emissions. Furthermore, if you look at it from a lifecycle viewpoint, biofuels are a renewable source of energy and add significant contributions in achieving net zero objectives.

How large fuel consumers can insulate themselves from price shocks in the International Market.
The price of oil and coal is always fluctuating in international energy markets. Since India is dependent on importing foreign fuels, the risk of price volatility is a constant concern. Hence, an effective approach is to look for alternative sources of energy within the country itself, which can benefit business and the economy as a whole. This can be achieved if the Indian government pushes to decentralize the manufacturing of biofuels; not only will it gain energy security, but it will also effectively repurpose the waste generated within its own borders.

Besides, good communication and trust are essential to creating a successful team that can excel together.

What is the future of Biofuels? How India could rapidly grow its biofuel usage as an alternative fuel?
Technology is constantly evolving, and as a result, biofuels are getting more and more effective, making them a viable option for a wide range of applications. Given that India has a sizable agricultural industry, there is a consistent supply of biomass feedstocks that can be used to make biofuels. In fact, they can play a major role in the energy mix considering the rapid development of utilizing biofuels in the industrial and power sectors for heat and electricity generation.

Since the Indian government has been taking steps to promote the use of biofuels, such as setting ambitious targets for blending biofuels with conventional fuels, to achieve net-zero goals, the future is clear. Yet, most individuals are unaware of the existence of biofuels. The government's support for regulated policies and raising public knowledge of the value of using waste in the biofuel value chain can further drastically change the sector's potential as an alternative fuel.

"Given that India has a sizable agricultural industry, there is a consistent supply of biomass feedstocks that can be used to make biofuels."

Why do you think biofuel will be the future fuel? How does Biofuel help with energy security?
I believe biofuel has the potential to become the fuel of the future because it is renewable, sustainable, and produced domestically, reducing dependence on foreign fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels are produced from organic materials such as plants, algae, and agricultural waste, making them a more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels, which are limited.

Biofuel helps with energy security because it lessens our reliance on importing fuels from other countries. Unquestionably, our nation spends billions of dollars annually on oil and coal imports. Advantageously, local biofuel production allows us to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy, which is vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply shortages. Furthermore, this enhances the country's energy security and lowers the possibility of economic disruptions brought on by energy-related problems.

What were the latest advancements in the biofuel industry in 2023 and How have you witnessed its growth?
Climate change, an increase in global temperature, net-zero targets, and other related factors have actually caused everyone to focus on alternative fuels like biofuels, which is a milestone for the sector. The use of alternative fuels in the aviation, marine, and industrial sectors is currently gaining momentum. Notably, numerous governments worldwide are pushing for policy interventions and incentives to encourage the growth of biofuels. Also, biofuel-based startups and other emerging technologies to develop waste into energy methods for producing green hydrogen and other biofuels, are experiencing a recent boom as well.

Being a part of the biofuel industry for quite some time, I've been fortunate enough to witness firsthand the growth of the biofuel industry. In fact, I am delighted to say that Buyofuel is constantly working to mainstream the biofuel industry. Also, it's been inspiring to see the industry evolve and adapt to new challenges and opportunities, gaining greater acceptance among consumers, investors, and policymakers.

Mr Kishan Karunakaran is a passionate entrepreneur with a deep commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. He has led Buyofuel in developing cutting-edge technology that converts a wide range of organic waste materials, such as agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, and sewage sludge, into high-quality biofuels. Buyofuel has successfully implemented its waste-to-biofuel technology in several locations across India, providing a sustainable solution for waste management while also producing clean energy. It has been tested and certified by various agencies, demonstrating their effectiveness as an alternative to fossil fuels.