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18 Years Turning India's Waste Into Clean Energy
1 May
Summary
- India generates 62-72 million tonnes of waste annually.
- Company converts waste into compressed biogas (CBG).
- Mandatory CBG blending in gas networks begins FY2025-26.
India faces a significant challenge, generating between 62 and 72 million tonnes of municipal solid waste each year, much of which ends up in open dumps.
Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORSL), a Navi Mumbai-based firm, has dedicated 18 years to converting this waste into energy. Initially a waste management company, ORSL has evolved into a clean technology platform, producing compressed biogas (CBG) and other valuable products from agricultural waste and municipal organic waste.
In 2013, ORSL pioneered an integrated waste valorisation facility in Solapur, Maharashtra, utilizing anaerobic digestion technology when the sector was still nascent. The company's extensive experience has led to technological advancements, including patents and proprietary innovations.
ORSL collaborates with major clients like Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum, and has research partnerships with IIT Bombay and IIT Kharagpur. It is developing India's first BIO-CCU platform to capture CO₂ from biogas plants, aiming to convert it into fuels. This venture was supported by a Rs 1.86 crore grant.
Looking ahead, India's National Biofuels Coordination Committee has mandated 1% CBG blending in CNG and PNG networks starting from fiscal year 2025-26, with a planned increase to 5% by fiscal year 2028-29. ORSL's 18-year journey in waste-to-energy solutions positions it advantageously for this evolving market.
