The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) successfully concluded the inaugural edition of SugarNXT 2026,a 2-day conclave, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to spotlight how innovation and digital transformation are reshaping the economics of sugar manufacturing in India.
The conclave was inaugurated by Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, as the Chief Guest and Ashwini Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Sugar), Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, as the guest of honour. The discussions across sessions highlighted a clear shift in the industry’s approach, with cost reduction increasingly being driven by process efficiency, energy optimisation, and digital integration.
Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution, said: “Over the past decade, the Indian sugar industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, transforming itself into a key pillar of the country’s bio-energy ecosystem. The successful implementation of the 20% ethanol blending programme at an unprecedented scale has resulted in crude oil savings of nearly ₹1.65 lakh crore an achievement that reflects not just policy support, but the proactive and responsive approach of the industry. Going forward, the focus must be on closing efficiency gaps at the plant level, improving real-time data utilisation, and accelerating process optimisation. Platforms like SugarNXT are important in driving this next phase of transformation by fostering innovation and strengthening collaboration between industry, academia, and technology providers.”
Niraj Shirgaokar, President, ISMA, said, “The Indian sugar industry is undergoing a structural shift from a cyclical commodity sector to a more stable and diversified bio-energy ecosystem. As expectations from the sector grow, the focus must now be on improving cost competitiveness and unlocking greater value from every part of the production cycle. Technology and byproduct valorisation will be central to this transition, and platforms like SugarNXT are critical in accelerating industry-wide adoption of these next-generation practices.”
Deepak Ballani, Director General, ISMA, said, “The next phase of growth for the sugar industry will be driven by execution, how effectively mills can optimise operations, leverage data for real-time decision-making, and reduce energy and water intensity. SugarNXT has been designed to focus on this ‘how’, bringing practical, implementable solutions that can improve recovery, minimise downtime, and deliver measurable gains in efficiency at the plant level.”
Experts at the conclave showcased how advancements in process technology, automation, artificial intelligence, and real-time process control are enabling sugar mills to:
-
Lower steam and energy consumption
-
Improve sugar recovery and throughput
-
Reduce operational losses and downtime
-
Unlock greater value through byproduct utilisation
Energy efficiency emerged as a key lever, with a strong focus on optimised evaporation systems, improved heat integration, and efficient cogeneration, all of which has a direct impact on enhancing the efficiency of sugar mills. SugarNXT Conclave 2026 presented a comprehensive roadmap for building digitally enabled, cost-efficient, and future-ready sugar ecosystems, covering the entire value chain from cane preparation and juice extraction to crystallisation, sugar handling, and intelligent plant operations.
Sessions on day 1 included ‘Factory Processing: Juice Extraction’ and the culmination of SugarNXT Hackathon, a first-of-its-kind, industry-driven initiative, where winners were felicitated by the Chief Guest Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution and applauded for their innovative solutions to address real-world challenges across the sugar and bio-energy value chain. The winning solutions will also get the opportunity for seed funding and mentorship from an industry expert.
A key highlight of the conclave will be the session on “Byproduct Valorisation, Zero Waste & Water Efficiency”, chaired by Ashwini Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Sugar), featuring eminent experts, including Padma Shri G. D. Yadav, Emeritus Professor of Eminence, Former Vice Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), scheduled for Day 2 of the conclave. The session will focus on the industry’s transition towards circular and zero-waste manufacturing models, including the adoption of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems.
