Turning Pollution into Power: DME Poised to Become India’s Next Clean Fuel Revolution

Dimethyl Ether (DME) is emerging as a promising clean fuel in India, capable of reducing air pollution, cutting LPG and diesel imports, and converting agricultural waste into valuable energy. DME burns without soot and emits far fewer pollutants than diesel, while being fully compatible with existing LPG infrastructure, requiring no new pipelines or storage systems.

Godavari Biorefineries Ltd (GBL) has pioneered a groundbreaking one-step process that converts CO₂ and hydrogen directly into DME—a global first. Their pilot plant produces 10 litres per day, with plans to scale production to 10 tonnes daily.

DME offers a dual advantage:

• Mitigating farm stubble burning by utilizing crop residue as feedstock
• Creating new income streams for farmers, supporting rural economies

While challenges remain, including hydrogen costs, CO₂ capture, and regulatory approvals, DME represents a major opportunity to transform pollution into clean, scalable, and sustainable energy for India’s future.