The Transition from Charcoal to Briquette Production in India: A Review

The need for energy sources that are both efficient and cheap, while simultaneously being environmentally sustainable, emphasizes the shift from one form of energy to an alternative source. This review has examined the transition from charcoal to briquette production in India. It uses various published works from reputable sources to deduce information on the impact of charcoal production, transition to biomass, briquette technologies, briquette feedstock, production, and its environmental and economic benefits. Challenges in the transition, government policies, and intervention in briquette production are also reviewed. The review revealed the devastating effects charcoal production has on the environment which exacerbates forest depletion, air pollution, soil erosion, species extinction, and climate change. At the same time, briquette production influenced rural livelihood and provided more efficient and cleaner energy due to its calorific value, low emission, and reduced pollution. The biomass feedstock comprises various materials such as rice husks, groundnut shells, sugarcane bagasse, corn husks, sawdust, cow manure, pine timber, bamboo particles, plastic refuse, and forestry byproducts. The review investigates the myriad technological methodologies employed in the production of briquettes. Various methods are used in briquette production such as compressing the biomass into multiple shapes and sizes. It explores challenges such as cost in initial setup, lack of awareness, seasonal variation in biomass availability, and lack of storage and supply chain. The study recommends that further research and policy interventions be made to enhance the adoption of briquette, provide efficient and affordable technology to rural communities, and expand markets for briquette industries.