ORSL, IIT Bombay, and IIT Kharagpur Secure DBT-BIRAC Grant to Launch India’s First Pilot-Scale Bio-CCU Platform

On December 10, 2025, Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORSL), in collaboration with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Bombay and IIT Kharagpur, announced the receipt of a significant research grant from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). This grant is aimed at establishing India’s first pilot-scale Bio-CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization) platform, marking a pivotal step in the country’s efforts towards sustainable waste management and carbon reduction.

The Significance of the Bio-CCU Platform

The Bio-CCU initiative is designed to enhance CO₂ valorization, which is crucial for the burgeoning Compressed Biogas (CBG) industry in India. Current practices in the industry often lead to the venting or flaring of substantial amounts of purified CO₂ due to a lack of effective utilization methods. The new platform developed by ORSL aims to convert this wasted CO₂ into valuable commercial products, including:

• Bio-alcohols
• Specialty chemicals
• Nutritional supplements
• Industrial additives

This innovative approach is expected to create new revenue streams and enhance the economic viability of biogas plants across the nation.

Project Overview

The collaborative project, titled “Integrating Biotechnological Interventions to Capture and Utilize CO₂ from Biogas via Algal Cultivation and Photocatalytic Conversion to Mixed Alcohols,” is set to be implemented over a 24-month period at the ORSL Research Innovation Centre (RIC) in Navi Mumbai. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs. 187.17 lakh.

Key Stakeholder Insights

Sarang Bhand, the Managing Director of ORSL, emphasized the importance of this project in the context of India’s bioenergy and carbon circularity landscape. He stated, “To meet the interim targeted goal of a 45% reduction in carbon intensity in the Indian economy by 2030, it is mission critical to step up R&D initiatives in both public and private domains.” Bhand highlighted the role of academic and industrial collaborations in accelerating the development of innovative carbon capture and utilization technologies.

Dr. Manju Tanwar, Chief Scientist and Head of R&D at ORSL and the Principal Investigator of the project, noted that the initiative integrates frontier biotechnology, algal engineering, and MXene-based photocatalysis at a scale not previously demonstrated in India. “Our goal is to build a near-zero CO₂ emission biogas platform that can set a new national benchmark for CCUS in the Waste to Energy sector,” she added.

Prof. Dr. Indrajit Chakraborty from IIT Bombay remarked on the potential of advanced photobioreactor-based CO₂ fixation as a sustainable carbon utilization method. He stated, “This collaboration enables the development of a robust and replicable model for India’s growing energy infrastructure.”

Similarly, Prof. Dr. Koustuv Ray from IIT Kharagpur highlighted the significance of selective photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ into mixed alcohols, stating, “This holds significant potential for future biorefineries and green chemical manufacturing. The multidisciplinary approach of this project is essential for advancing India’s climate-relevant technologies.”

Supporting National Goals

This groundbreaking Bio-CCU initiative aligns with India’s strategic missions aimed at achieving net-zero emissions and fostering a circular carbon economy. It promotes pathways for ‘waste to wealth’ and enables scalable, sustainable biomanufacturing throughout the country. By addressing the challenges associated with CO₂ emissions and waste management, the project is poised to make a substantial impact on both environmental sustainability and economic development.

Conclusion

The collaboration between ORSL, IIT Bombay, and IIT Kharagpur represents a significant advancement in the field of carbon capture and utilization in India. With the support of the DBT-BIRAC grant, this initiative not only aims to innovate within the biogas sector but also contributes to the broader goal of sustainable development and climate change mitigation. As the project progresses, it will be crucial to monitor its outcomes and scalability, ensuring that it can serve as a model for future initiatives in the realm of clean technology and environmental stewardship.

Note: The information presented in this article is based on the latest available data and may be subject to change as the project develops.