Pipeline at a Glance: 1,666 Projects, 25 Added in 90 Days
India's distillery and brewery sector continues to attract capital investment across multiple states, with Projects India tracking 1,666 projects in the sub-sector as of late September 2026. Twenty-five new projects were added to the database in the past 90 days, reflecting sustained developer interest in both grain-based and molasses-based ethanol capacity, as well as winery and brewery expansions.
The activity follows broader reporting on how to plan and finance an ethanol plant in India, with industry publications covering feedstock selection, capacity sizing, technology choice and cost planning as key decision variables for promoters entering or expanding in the sector.
State-by-State Distribution of Tracked Projects
Maharashtra leads all states in tracked distillery and brewery projects by a considerable margin, followed by Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. The full state breakdown from Projects India's records is as follows:
- Maharashtra: 497 projects
- Karnataka: 238 projects
- Uttar Pradesh: 215 projects
- Madhya Pradesh: 93 projects
- Andhra Pradesh: 65 projects
- Bihar: 64 projects
Maharashtra's dominance reflects the state's established sugar co-operative base, which has historically provided molasses as a primary feedstock for distilleries. Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh similarly benefit from large sugar sector ecosystems, while Madhya Pradesh and Bihar represent growing markets for grain-based capacity.
Stage Breakdown: Where Projects Sit in the Development Cycle
Of the 1,666 tracked projects, the largest cohort — 608 — is currently under approvals, representing the most immediate forward pipeline for equipment suppliers, engineering contractors and civil works firms. A further 139 have received approvals and are likely moving toward financial closure or construction mobilisation. Projects India's stage breakdown is as follows:
- Under Approvals: 608
- Completed: 359
- Construction Started: 256
- Hold: 142
- Approvals Received: 139
- Planning: 59
The 256 projects in active construction represent confirmed near-term procurement demand across process equipment, civil engineering, instrumentation and utilities. The 142 projects on hold may re-enter the active pipeline as feedstock economics, regulatory conditions or promoter financing situations change.
Recent Project Activity: Selected Tracked Schemes
Among the projects recently tracked by Projects India, several illustrate the range of scale, geography and technology in the current pipeline. Two Karnataka projects — one promoted by Inamdar Sugars Limited in Belgaum and another by Shri Balaji Sugars and Chemicals Private Limited in Vijayapura — carry stated values of Rs 672 crore and Rs 829 crore respectively, though the latter is currently on hold. In Andhra Pradesh, Assago Industries Private Limited is pursuing a Rs 270 crore grain-based distillery expansion in East Godavari, presently under approvals. In Odisha, Shreevash Agro India Private Limited has filed for approvals on a new Rs 175 crore grain-based facility in Balangir district.
At the construction stage, Spray Engineering Devices Limited has started work on a 2G ethanol biorefinery project in Dhanaura, Uttar Pradesh, valued at Rs 150 crore, while Shri Sangam Sahakari Sakkare Karkhane Niyamit has commenced construction of a distillery unit in Belagavi, Karnataka. In Maharashtra, Vintage Wines Private Limited is seeking approvals for a Rs 15 crore winery expansion in Nashik's Niphad area.
| Project | Promoter | Location | Value | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grain-Based Distillery Expansion | Assago Industries Private Limited | East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh | Rs 270 crore | Under Approvals |
| Grain-Based Distillery (New) | Shreevash Agro India Private Limited | Balangir, Odisha | Rs 175 crore | Under Approvals |
| Distillery Unit Expansion | Karnal Cooperative Sugar Mills Limited | Karnal, Haryana | Rs 263 crore | Under Approvals |
| Distillery Unit | Inamdar Sugars Limited | Belgaum, Karnataka | Rs 672 crore | Under Approvals |
| Distillery Mfg Unit Expansion | Shri Balaji Sugars & Chemicals Private Limited | Vijayapura, Karnataka | Rs 829 crore | Hold |
| 2G Ethanol Biorefinery | Spray Engineering Devices Limited | Amroha, Uttar Pradesh | Rs 150 crore | Construction Started |
| Winery Unit Expansion | Vintage Wines Private Limited | Nashik, Maharashtra | Rs 15 crore | Under Approvals |
What this means for suppliers and contractors
The concentration of 608 projects under approvals indicates a substantial volume of procurement mandates that are likely to be activated over the coming months. Suppliers of fermentation vessels, distillation columns, evaporators, boilers, effluent treatment systems and process instrumentation should note that Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh together account for roughly 57 per cent of all tracked projects, making these states the highest-priority geographies for business development activity.
The 256 projects already in construction represent confirmed, active demand. Civil contractors, mechanical erection firms and electrical and instrumentation companies with capacity in these three states are best positioned to address near-term requirements. The 139 projects with approvals received but not yet in construction represent a secondary conversion opportunity — these promoters have cleared regulatory hurdles and are likely engaging vendors and contractors ahead of financial close or ground-breaking.
Karnataka's pipeline is notable for the scale of individual projects: the two Hold and Under Approvals schemes in Belgaum and Vijayapura alone carry a combined stated value of Rs 1,501 crore, suggesting that when these projects reactivate or advance, contract packages could be substantial. Suppliers are encouraged to monitor the full distilleries and breweries project list for stage changes. For the broader industrial projects sector overview, including related sub-sectors, Projects India's platform provides stage and geography filters to narrow searches by procurement readiness. Live tender opportunities across industrial projects can be tracked at the tenders section.
Frequently asked questions
How many distillery and brewery projects are currently tracked in India?
Projects India tracks 1,666 distillery and brewery projects across India as of late September 2026, with 25 added in the previous 90 days. Maharashtra leads with 497 projects, followed by Karnataka with 238 and Uttar Pradesh with 215.
Which states have the most ethanol and distillery projects in India?
Maharashtra has the highest count with 497 tracked projects, followed by Karnataka at 238 and Uttar Pradesh at 215. Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar each have between 64 and 93 projects tracked by Projects India.
How many distillery projects in India are under approvals or in construction?
Projects India records show 608 distillery and brewery projects currently under approvals and a further 256 in active construction, with 139 having received approvals and likely approaching construction mobilisation or financial closure.
What is a 2G ethanol biorefinery project in India?
A 2G, or second-generation, ethanol biorefinery converts cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol, rather than conventional feedstocks such as molasses or grain. Projects India tracks one such project by Spray Engineering Devices Limited in Uttar Pradesh, valued at Rs 150 crore and in active construction.
