Finnish, Indian firms partner to develop biogas plants in India

Finnish company Arciplug Oy started an exclusive joint venture with Indian company Infistar Renewables Pvt Ltd to develop modular plug flow compressed biogas plants, marking a significant step towards advancing the renewable energy ambitions in India through next-generation CBG solutions, reported ANI, quoting a press release.

The joint venture, Arcistar Bioenergy Pvt Ltd, will deliver turnkey make-in-India Modular Plug-Flow CBG plants, capable of converting agriculture residues, municipal solid waste and other organic waste into clean energy.

This modular technology, which has already been successfully deployed across Europe and Asia, is being introduced in India for the first time through this partnership.

As India accelerates its transition towards cleaner energy while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, this technology offers a practical and sustainable solution to the country's major challenges, including energy security, climate change, waste management and water conservation.

The modular CBG plants can be commissioned for rapid biogas production within just 4-5 months, as against 12-18 months typically required for conventional plants.

Furthermore, unlike conventional wet digestion systems, these dry anaerobic reactors require minimal water during the digestion process, consume around 30 per cent less feedstock and significantly less electricity, thereby notably reducing the total operating cost and enhancing commercial viability.

Designed as an open, modular system, these plants can process more than 100 different types of feedstocks, including napier grass, municipal solid waste, paddy straw, press mud, cotton residue, fruit and vegetable waste, poultry waste, fish waste, etc., making it suitable for a wide range of agricultural, industrial and municipal applications.

"India is one of the world's most promising markets for sustainable bioenergy, and we are delighted to partner with Infistar Renewables to introduce our MODULAR PLUG FLOW technology. Having been successfully deployed across several countries and diverse operating conditions, we believe this technology will help industries, municipalities and farmers convert waste into clean energy more efficiently and support India's sustainability goals,” said Jari Valtanen, Vice President of Arciplug Oy.

The joint venture plans to sell around 150 Modular Plug Flow CBG reactors pan-India over the next 5 years, Valtanen added.

"India's transition towards a cleaner and more self-reliant energy future requires solutions that are sustainable, commercially viable and affordable to the masses. Through our partnership with Arciplug, we are bringing a globally proven solution to India that addresses multiple national priorities simultaneously, including energy security, climate action, waste management and rural development,” said Suhrid V Sarabhai, Chairman and Managing Director, Infistar Group.