Day 1 – Sugar & Ethanol Asia 2026Wednesday, 16 September 2026

Indonesia has introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework to support the implementation of its mandatory bioethanol blending program. This includes regulations governing production, utilization, and the phased implementation of blending targets, supported by a national roadmap and recent excise policy reforms. By mid-2026, Indonesia is expected to begin implementing the E5 blending mandate. However, the pathway is not without challenges. Domestic production capacity remains limited, while the primary feedstock, molasses, continues to be freely traded, creating competition between food and fuel applications. Alternative non-food feedstocks, particularly through 1.5G bioethanol technology, have emerged as a promising solution to address these constraints. These critical issues will form the core of this session. At the same time, there is a growing urgency to accelerate implementation in response to volatile global oil prices driven by geopolitical developments, while advancing Indonesia's strategic objective of strengthening energy security and reducing dependence on imported fuels. Fluctuating project economics also remain a key consideration. As investor interest continues to grow, how can investment risks be effectively mitigated, and what strategies will be critical for success in Indonesia's emerging bioethanol market?

• Economic benefits of E10 adoption beyond carbon reduction
• Agriculture, and rural development opportunities
• Investment in production, storage, ports, and fuel infrastructure
• Energy security and reducing dependence on imported fuels in SE Asia as a hub
• Lessons from India, Thailand and Vietnam for other Southeast Asian countries.
• Opportunities for greater regional cooperation and trade within ASEAN

As Asia's sugar and ethanol industries navigate changing market dynamics, competitiveness is no longer determined solely by production costs, yields or market access. Global buyers of food, beverages, bio-based chemicals and sustainable aviation fuel are increasingly looking for greater transparency, lower carbon footprints, responsible sourcing and stronger environmental and social performance across supply chains. These evolving expectations are reshaping what it means to be a competitive sugar producer.

This panel, led by Bonsucro, brings together perspectives from government (Office of the Cane and Sugar Board, Thailand), the bioeconomy and industry (Dr. Pipat Weerathaworn, Thai Bioplastics Industry Association and NRCT) and the buyer perspective (Braskem) to explore how sustainability can become a source of competitive advantage for Asian sugar rather than simply another compliance obligation.

The session complements the wider Sugar & Ethanol Asia 2026 programme, which focuses on market outlooks, ethanol, bio-based products, innovation and investment opportunities. While many sessions examine where demand and markets are heading, this discussion explores what the sugar sector must do to remain competitive in those future markets. It connects commercial trends with practical actions across policy, industry and value chains, highlighting how sustainability can support market access, strengthen resilience, unlock new opportunities in the bioeconomy and reinforce Asia's position as a reliable supplier to global markets.

Key takeaways for the audience

Attendees will leave with a better understanding of:

• How sustainability expectations are influencing purchasing decisions and market access across global sugar and ethanol value chains.
• The complementary roles of government, industry and buyers in building a more competitive and resilient sugar sector.
• Practical examples of how collaboration on traceability, emissions reduction, farmer livelihoods and responsible production can create commercial value.

• Why sustainability is increasingly becoming a strategic business issue that supports long-term competitiveness, investment and growth for the Asian sugar industry, rather than simply a compliance exercise.