Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORSL), a brand into bioenergy engineering, partnered with Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to launch a pilot-scale SEED/Culture-based biomethanation plant in Solapur, Maharashtra. Housed at the Solapur Bioenergy Systems Pvt. Ltd. (SBESPL) facility, the plant represents a major leap forward in India’s journey toward decentralized and sustainable bioenergy solutions.
Validating Cutting-Edge Microbial Technology
The pilot facility validates the THERMI-NIBE microbial consortium by anaerobically digesting challenging lignocellulosic and organic feedstocks, including Napier grass, agricultural residues, and food or agro-industrial waste. This project aims to optimize digestion rates and maximize biogas yields from non-conventional biomass. These are crucial steps in scaling up compressed biogas (CBG) production in line with the Government of India’s SATAT initiative.
Transforming SBESPL into a National Innovation Hub
Originally established to process municipal solid waste into biogas and organic manure, SBESPL now enters a new phase as a testbed for advanced microbial technologies. With over a decade of operational success, the facility is evolving into one of India’s few live platforms capable of handling complex feedstocks under real-world conditions. This positions SBESPL as a strategic center for clean energy innovation and circular economy advancement.
Driving Efficiency and Environmental Resilience
At the core of the project is a mission to enhance process stability and environmental sustainability. By tackling difficult-to-digest biomass, the SEED/Culture-based system showcases its readiness for commercial deployment. To ensure steady feedstock availability, ORSL has initiated the large-scale cultivation of Napier grass. Farmers are growing this high-yield lignocellulosic crop across Solapur and surrounding regions.
Leadership Endorses Vision for Scalable Clean Energy
Yashas Bhand, CEO and Whole-Time Director, ORSL, stated, “The commissioning of this pilot plant is a critical milestone in our innovation-led strategy to shape India’s bioenergy future. This partnership with SSS-NIBE is not just technological—it’s transformational, reflecting our shared goal of commercializing indigenous research and building scalable biomethanation solutions.”
He further noted that the pilot will address key challenges in biomass digestion and gas output. It will also lay the groundwork for broader adoption and investment in the CBG sector. Dr. Sachin Kumar, Deputy Director and Scientist at SSS-NIBE, added: “The THERMI-NIBE culture stems from years of dedicated R&D. It is aimed at improving biological conversion efficiency.” Deploying it at Solapur takes our work from lab to land, offering tangible, field-proven benchmarks for India’s decentralized bioenergy systems.”
A Blueprint for National Replication
As the Solapur pilot proves its capabilities, it is poised to become a reference model for biomethanation across India. As per the press release, the insights gained here will help guide the implementation of India’s National Bioenergy Mission. The project supports clean energy generation through homegrown innovation and sustainable biomass utilization.
