Recykal’s $23M Boost Fuels Tech-Led Waste Solutions

• Existing and new investors back bridge round as Recykal reports 53% revenue growth in FY26 and sharp improvement in profitability

Recykal, India's leading technology platform for waste management and the circular economy, today announced the successful closure of a USD 23 million bridge round, comprising a combination of primary and secondary capital from existing investors and a select group of new family offices.

The fresh capital will be deployed towards strengthening Recykal's technology platform, accelerating its Deposit Return System (DRS) deployments, expanding its behavioural change solutions in waste management, and supporting international growth initiatives.

The company enters its next phase of growth with strong business momentum. In FY26, Recykal reported gross revenue of ₴1,498 crore, representing a 53.2% increase over ₴978 crore in FY25, while reducing losses from 6% to 4%, demonstrating improved operating leverage and disciplined execution.

As part of the transaction, early climate-focused investor Circulate Capital completed a full exit, realising approximately 5x returns on its original investment.

Pioneering Deposit Return Systems

A core focus of the new capital is the acceleration of Recykal's Deposit Return System (DRS) business, a technology-led model in which consumers pay a small refundable deposit on packaging that is returned upon recycling, dramatically increasing collection and recovery rates. Recykal provides the digital clearinghouse, reverse-logistics, consumer engagement and verification infrastructure that enables such schemes to operate efficiently and at scale.

Recykal has established a leading DRS track record across multiple Indian states and neighbouring markets, with deployments and pilots spanning Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Bhutan, laying the operational and technological foundations for a scalable recyclable-collection ecosystem. The company's reverse vending machine (RVM) and clearinghouse technology stack positions Recykal as a preferred partner for governments, beverage producers and retailers implementing producer responsibility and deposit-return mandates.

Building a Global Circular Economy Platform

Beyond India, Recykal is expanding internationally, taking its waste-management technology and DRS capabilities into global markets. The company is actively pursuing opportunities in Europe and the United Kingdom through organic expansion, strategic partnerships and potential acquisitions, with the ambition of becoming the technology backbone for circular economy infrastructure worldwide.

Alongside DRS, Recykal is also expanding its Open Marketplace, enabling domestic and global sourcing of recyclable materials and circular commodities by connecting aggregators, recyclers and industrial buyers.

The fresh capital will also support strategic investments aligned with Recykal's long-term vision of building a fully digitised, globally connected circular economy.

Commenting on the fundraise, Abhay Deshpande, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Recykal, said:

Recykal was built on a simple conviction, that the circular economy is fundamentally a technology problem. Over the last year, we have demonstrated that growth and improving unit economics can go hand in hand, delivering over 53% revenue growth while reducing losses. Deposit Return Systems are perhaps the clearest expression of this thesis, combining technology, logistics and behavioural change to transform how packaging is recovered. This bridge round gives us the flexibility to deepen our technology investments, scale DRS deployments, and expand into international markets where circularity infrastructure is rapidly becoming a priority. We remain committed to building the digital backbone for a globally connected circular economy.

About Recykal

Founded in 2016, Recykal is a Hyderabad-based technology company building digital infrastructure for waste management and the circular economy. Its platform connects and empowers the entire value chain, including brands, producers, recyclers, aggregators, collectors and consumers, traceability, circular commerce, Deposit Return Systems and material recovery solutions at scale. Recykal operates across India and is expanding into international markets, with a growing presence in Deposit Return System deployments worldwide.

Neo San Launches SafeDispose Bengaluru to Tackle Sanitary and Biomedical Waste with WEF Support

BBMP Maternity Hospital, Halasuru 

• As part of an initiative by the World Economic Forum, Neo San will install their futuristic smart-bins, ‘Neo-X’, across Bengaluru over the next few months, in collaboration with the Greater Bengaluru Authority, Government of Karnataka.

Neo San, a Bengaluru-based clean-technology company that develops a range of highly efficient, on-site thermal waste-processors, has been awarded for their patented innovation by UpLink, the early-stage innovation engine of the World Economic Forum (WEF). In collaboration with the Government of Karnataka, the program aims to address the various challenges in our growing cities, and Neo San has been selected as a strategic partner to deploy its solutions across Bangalore to manage reject-waste on-site, at various facilities.

Launching soon under the name ‘SafeDispose Bengaluru', this solution will bring certified, on-site sanitary and biomedical waste-processing to government and private institutions across the city, taking away one of the most challenging aspects of waste management.

As a winner of the Yes/Bengaluru Urban Innovation Challenge, Neo San is a part of a structured collaboration between UpLink- World Economic Forum’s Centre for Urban Transformation, and strong partners like United Way Bangalore, Deloitte, Anthill Ventures, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, Salesforce, SAP, the Government of Karnataka, the Greater Bengaluru Authority, with more than 15 additional organisations. The programme supports innovative urban solutions across sustainability, sanitation, and public health. Bengaluru is only the second city in the world, after San Francisco, to host this global initiative.

Neo-X Unit by Neo San

A grant provided to Neo San will fund the deployment of Neo-X units that safely treat sanitary and biomedical waste at the point of waste generation. The units will be deployed phase-wise, at various institutions; colleges, schools, primary health centres, women’s hostels, government housing and other official buildings around Bengaluru, reaching over 5,000 women. This will also dignify waste collectors on-ground, who are often left sorting through such waste with their hands.

Manyata Tech Park

Across government schools, primary health care centres, and women’s hostels, waste like sanitary pads, bandages, soiled tissues and clinical consumables, is generated daily with no certified on-site disposal route. The most common outcome is open burning, which creates serious air quality challenges for surrounding communities. Open waste burning accounts for 11% of Bengaluru's total PM2.5 emissions*, making it the city's third-largest source of particulate pollution after transport and industry. Sanitation workers handle this waste manually, without protection or protocol. Girls in government schools have no safe, dignified disposal option during menstruation. Neo San is tackling this from a gender inclusion perspective as well as an environmental one, closing a gap that sits at the intersection of public health, worker dignity and clean air.

Every Neo-X unit has real-time IoT monitoring of each cycle run and every kilo processed, thereby creating robust data for urban planning for the city. The SafeDispose Bengaluru initiative is aimed at eliminating open burning and manual waste handling at all these sites, conducting source segregation workshops, and generating India’s first field-verified compliance data under the Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 — creating a replicable template for institutional rollout across Karnataka and beyond. Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has reviewed and validated the technology for deployment across the city.

Commenting on the initiative, Dhwaj Bagrecha, Founder, Neo San, said, “Waste infrastructure has a large gap nobody talks about. The third stream - sanitary, biomedical, contaminated reject-waste - is generated daily with no certified on-site disposal route. The most common outcome is open-burning at low temperatures or dumping, since it has no economic incentive for material recovery. This creates some serious air quality challenges around our cities, polluting water bodies and soil-health without check. More so, sanitation workers handle this waste manually, causing an invisible spread of health risks for them and others. SafeDispose Bengaluru is what closing that gap actually looks like in practice. Through this initiative, our aim is the on-site treatment of this waste, in a controlled manner, eliminating open burning and reducing overall process emissions by 98%. This is the first step of a much larger deployment in India, something we’ve been building quietly for years”

With more than 200+ machines deployed across India under managed service contracts — including at organisations such as SAP India, Taj Hotels, Airtel, Royal Enfield, RMZ,, Embassy Group and others. Neo San is now expanding its presence across government and institutional infrastructures.

About Neo San Private Limited

Neo San is a Bengaluru-based clean-technology company building India's most advanced on-site waste management infrastructure. The company is focused on addressing a structural gap in India’s formal waste management system at the institutional level. While dry recyclables have collection systems and organic waste has composting infrastructure, sanitary, biomedical, and contaminated waste often has no certified processing route. As a result, such waste is frequently openly burned or dumped — releasing pollutants such as PM2.5, dioxins, and furans, handed to contractors without verified downstream processing or dumped on land, destroying land value and leaching into the water table. The Solid Waste Management Rules 2026, which came into force on April 1 this year, now mandate separate certified processing for this waste stream at every bulk waste-generating institution, though a large number of institutions remain non-compliant.

Founded in 2022, the company develops, manufactures, and operates a range of sealed, sensor-driven thermal waste processors — from the most compact model, the Neo-X for use at Bulk Waste Generators, to the Neo-XT and Neo-AX that target biomedical and industrial applications at up to one tonne of waste per day. Neo San's combustion technology sustains 1,200°C through adaptive sensor-based control, achieving emissions 98% cleaner than CPCB norms. The technology is backed by 11 global patents (certified) and supported by the Karnataka Pollution Control Board as an ultra-low pollution initiative.

The company is seed-funded, and is in talks for a Series A round, and receives support from UpLink and the World Economic Forum with the right connections to deploy, hire and grow in Bengaluru.

Website: https://neosan.in/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/neosan/

Sources: *Guttikunda, S. et al. (2019). Air quality, emissions, and source contributions analysis for the Greater Bengaluru region of India. UrbanEmissions.Info / ScienceDirect. Available at: https://urbanemissions.info/wp-content/uploads/docs/2019-01-APR-AQ-Bengaluru.pdf

From Waste to Resource: Re Sustainability & IOCL Launch India’s 1st Used Oil Circular Economy

(Left) Mr. Masood Mallick and Mr. Bankim Patra (Right)

• Re Sustainability and Indian Oil Join Hands to Create India’s First Integrated Used Oil Circular Economy Ecosystem

Re Sustainability has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Oil Corporation Limited to launch India’s first structured national initiative for the collection and recycling of used lubricating oil. The partnership marks a significant milestone in building a circular ecosystem for lubricant oil management and advancing India’s transition towards a resource-efficient and low-carbon economy.

This pioneering collaboration demonstrates how industry partnerships can accelerate circular resource flows, strengthen environmental governance, and build resilient energy and materials infrastructure for the future. By enabling systematic recovery and re-refining of used lubricants, the initiative will help reduce reliance on virgin crude-derived base oils while conserving natural resources and lowering foreign exchange outflows.

The collaboration will focus on establishing a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to create a nationwide reverse logistics and collection ecosystem for used lubricating oil. The platform will aggregate used lubricants from industrial and automotive sectors and develop advanced Re-Refined Base Oil (RRBO) refining infrastructure to produce Group I and Group II+ base oils from recovered lubricants in partnership with Re Sustainability and its technology partners.

Mr. Bankim Patra, Country Head (Lubes), Indian Oil Corporation Limited, said: “As India’s largest integrated energy company, Indian Oil is committed to advancing solutions that strengthen both energy security and environmental responsibility. This collaboration reflects our commitment to building sustainable value chains that enable responsible recovery, reuse, and circular utilisation of lubricants. By formalising the collection and recycling of used oil, we are supporting a more resource-efficient and sustainable energy ecosystem for India.”

Under the collaboration, recovered oil will be processed to produce Re-Refined Base Oil (RRBO) which can be reintroduced into lubricant manufacturing value chains. This circular approach significantly reduces dependence on virgin crude-derived base oils while strengthening material efficiency across the lubricants sector.

Speaking on the collaboration, Mr. Masood Mallick, Managing Director & Group CEO, Re Sustainability Limited, said: “India’s journey towards a circular economy requires large-scale systems that can recover value from complex waste streams and reintegrate them into productive use. Our partnership with Indian Oil marks a transformative step towards institutionalising structured oil recycling in India. By building an integrated ecosystem for used lubricant recovery and re-refining, we are enabling the transition from waste management to resource recovery while strengthening India’s environmental infrastructure and circular economy.”

The MoU is signed, with a targeted annual collection of 100 KTA (kilotonnes per annum) of used lubricating oil supported by a structured nationwide network of aggregation, logistics, and traceability systems.

As part of the initiative, the partners will establish a state-of-the-art re-refining facility at mutually agreed locations. The project will include both the development of new infrastructure and the upgrade of existing facilities designed to process used lubricating oil and convert it into Group II Re-Refined Base Oil (RRBO) meeting Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and international specifications.

The facility is expected to have a processing capacity of 50–100 KTA and is targeted to be commissioned within the next three years, forming the foundation for a scalable oil recovery and circular recycling ecosystem under the partnership.

The initiative will also include recovery and recycling of plastic lubricant containers, aligned with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements under India’s environmental regulations, thereby strengthening compliance and enabling responsible lifecycle management of lubricant packaging.

India currently generates approximately 1.3 million tonnes of used lubricating oil annually, of which only around 0.2 million tonnes is recovered through formal recycling channels. This initiative aims to significantly expand formal recovery infrastructure, unlock the resource value of used lubricants, and accelerate India’s transition toward a circular, resource-efficient, and sustainable lubricant economy.

Re Sustainability Limited (ReSL), a KKR-backed company, is one of Asia’s largest and most diversified providers of integrated environmental and sustainability solutions. The company operates across 100+ sites in India, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Tanzania, and the USA. With a 22,000+ strong workforce and over three decades of leadership in waste management, resource recovery, and sustainability infrastructure, ReSL is driving the transition toward a low-carbon, circular economy.

For more information, visit: resustainability.com

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IndianOil) is India’s largest integrated energy company and a Maharatna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. Headquartered in New Delhi, the company operates across the entire hydrocarbon value chain including refining, pipeline transportation, marketing of petroleum products, petrochemicals, natural gas, and exploration and production.

IndianOil owns and operates one of the country’s largest refining capacities and an extensive network of pipelines, terminals, depots, and fuel stations that serve millions of consumers across India. The company plays a vital role in ensuring India’s energy security and supporting economic growth.

Ranked among the Fortune Global 500 companies, IndianOil is also advancing investments in cleaner fuels, renewable energy, and emerging technologies as part of its transition towards a more sustainable and diversified energy future.

Climate Entrepreneurship Moves Beyond Metros: Greenr Data Maps Rise of Green Startups in India’s Tier 2/3 Cities

• The data maps 300+ climate startups across 106 cities in 28 states
• Waste management, agroforestry, textiles, and energy emerge as the top four key sectors, with 60% of green enterprises focused on addressing India’s critical waste challenges
• Small-town founders, majority with under five years’ experience, lead the shift; solutions span households, RWAs, schools, corporates and municipalities. 
• Complements national priorities including Swachh Bharat (Urban) 2.0, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastics, and Mission LiFE’s circularity goals, reinforcing India’s commitment to sustainable growth

Data from the Greenr Sustainability Accelerator by TechnoServe, supported by the IKEA Foundation and Visa Foundation, indicates an interesting perspective wherein India's climate entrepreneurship landscape or India's climate innovation is not restricted to Tier-1 cities. Across three cohorts, the program has supported 300+ small and growing green businesses (SGBs) spanning 106 cities in 28 states. Of this, nearly 45% of the startups come from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, signalling the growing decentralisation of climate innovation in the country.

Notably, 60% of these enterprises are focused on addressing India’s waste management challenges, highlighting the critical role played by entrepreneurs from smaller cities in tackling some of the nation’s most pressing environmental issues. These startups are driving innovation across critical segments within each sector. For example, in waste management, key sub-sectors include e-waste, wastewater management, plastics recycling, upcycling, and the development of green construction materials from agricultural waste among others. The data specifically identifies waste management, agroforestry, textiles, and energy as the top four emerging sectors for climate innovation, showcasing a diverse entrepreneurial landscape across India. Their work complements national priorities including Swachh Bharat (Urban) 2.0, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastics, and Mission LiFE’s circularity goals, reinforcing India’s commitment to sustainable growth.

The strategic support provided by the Greenr Sustainability Accelerator is translating into tangible results. Over the past two cohorts, Greenr-backed startups have demonstrated an impressive 61% average revenue growth and contributed to a 24% increase in job creation. To further fuel this growth, the program has facilitated over $16 million in funding, structured across 55% equity, 35% debt, and 10% grants, enabling these green businesses to scale their solutions and maximize their impact.

This entrepreneurial surge is largely driven by a new cohort of founders, with a majority having less than five years of business experience, underscoring the rise of fresh entrepreneurial ecosystems beyond traditional startup hubs. Reinforcing this shift, 60% of the Greenr-supported businesses are women-led, showcasing significant female leadership in India's climate action. This vibrant ecosystem is particularly prominent in a diverse set of Tier 2 and 3 cities including Jaipur, Bhubaneshwar, Surat, Indore, Coimbatore, Kochi, Guwahati, Madurai, Dehradun, and Bhopal, which collectively represent the top 10 cities for Greenr-backed innovation.

Ajay Menon, Senior Practice Lead at TechnoServe India and Program Director, Greenr Sustainability Accelerator, says: “India’s climate transition will be won in Tier-2 and Tier-3 India. The entrepreneurs we work with are building practical solutions where the need is greatest - converting waste to value, renewable energy, and circularity at the last mile, rather than chasing unicorn valuations. When we combine hands-on, bespoke advisory with access to fairly priced financing (equity, debt or grant funding) and market linkages, these founders grow revenues, create jobs, and deliver measurable environmental outcomes. The data is clear: climate innovation is no longer a metro story; it’s a small-town movement. And it requires continued momentum, powered by systemic change from a convening of the right stakeholders to provide the needed support in terms of business building, financing, access to markets, support for pilots and changes to policy in favour of circular economic business models.”

A prime example of this success is Plastroots from Nagpur, Maharashtra. This zero-landfill waste management company provides end-to-end dry waste solutions and circular economy models for communities, governments, and industries. Founded in 2019, Plastroots directly addresses the challenge of unsegregated rural waste, where nearly 75% often goes unmanaged by structured systems. With Greenr's support, Plastroots successfully scaled its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance vertical, generating over ₹3 crore in revenue within 12 months, achieved 5x business growth, and expanded operations across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan.

About Greenr Sustainability Accelerator

The Greenr Sustainability Accelerator by TechnoServe, supported by the IKEA Foundation and Visa Foundation, is one of the largest not-for-profit accelerators dedicated to green small and growing businesses (Green SGBs). Launched in 2023, the program supports startups in sectors such as waste management, textiles, agroforestry, cleantech, renewable energy, green construction, food & agriculture, and feminine hygiene. Over the past two years, Greenr has enabled 200+ green startups to achieve 61% average revenue growth, unlock $16M in funding, and create 24% more jobs. The accelerator provides 12–15 months of hands-on support, including a dedicated business advisor, access to market and corporate linkages, green financing opportunities, and impact measurement through Environmental Impact Assessments. By combining TechnoServe’s five decades of global expertise with deep local networks, Greenr empowers entrepreneurs to build scalable businesses that generate environmental impact, and help India gradually transition from a linear to a circular economy.

Learn more: www.getgreenr.org

Hasiru Dala Innovations Secures INR 6 Cr in Pre-Series A Investment from Rainmatter by Zerodha and Next Bharat Ventures

Hasiru Dala Innovations (HDI), a leading for-purpose company dedicated to creating a world with no waste and no waste pickers through its ethos of Inclusive Circularity®, has successfully raised INR 6 crore in a Pre-Series A equity funding round. The round was led by Rainmatter Fintech Investments. Next Bharat Ventures IFSC—a Suzuki-backed alternative investment firm committed to supporting impact-driven enterprises, made its first direct portfolio investment with its contribution to HDI.

The capital infusion will accelerate HDI’s growth in key areas, including scaling its plastics circularity business to increase recycling capacity and operational efficiency. It will also support the expansion of its Bio-gas plant through its joint venture with Carbon Masters, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable waste-to-energy solutions. Additionally, HDI will invest in strengthening its leadership by hiring key managerial talent and extending its operations beyond Bangalore, broadening its impact in circular economy initiatives and waste management solutions.

Nithin Kamat, CEO, Zerodha and Rainmatter, speaking on the investment stated, “Hasiru Dala Innovations has built a unique, inclusive model that not only tackles waste management but also empowers waste pickers as key stakeholders in the circular economy. Their work in plastics circularity and bio-energy solutions is creating tangible environmental and social impact. At Rainmatter, we believe in supporting businesses that drive systemic change for a more sustainable future, and we are excited to be part of HDI’s next phase of growth as they scale their operations and expand beyond Bangalore.”

Vipul Nath Jindal, MD and CEO of Next Bharat Ventures, commented, “At Next Bharat Ventures, we are committed to backing Impact Entrepreneurs—founders who are driven by a deep-rooted intent to create lasting social change. Hasiru Dala Innovations is a testament to the power of mission-driven entrepreneurship—one that not only creates sustainable livelihoods but also builds resilient circular economy models at scale. Their approach to waste management, rooted in dignity and economic empowerment for waste pickers, aligns with our belief that transformative businesses emerge from deep, on-the-ground understanding of societal challenges. We are proud to support HDI as our fund’s first direct investment and look forward to seeing them expand their impact across geographies.”

Since its inception in 2015, HDI has been instrumental in driving sustainable waste management solutions, with a significant impact on the informal waste sector. With ongoing efforts, HDI has successfully diverted over 100,000 tons of municipal solid waste away from landfills, conserving approximately 1 million cubic meters of landfill space and mitigating 1,31,493 tCO2e greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Shekar Prabhakar, CEO & Cofounder of Hasiru Dala Innovations, said on the recent investments, “At Hasiru Dala Innovations, our mission has always been to create a world with no waste and no waste pickers—where those who have been traditionally marginalized are at the forefront of the circular economy. Through our work, we have empowered 29 waste picker entrepreneurs, provided predictable livelihoods to over 300 waste pickers and workers, and facilitated supplemental income opportunities totaling over 9,300 person-hours. Beyond livelihood opportunities, we are focused on driving systemic change, with over 40 informal waste sector suppliers now adopting fair trade practices. With marquee investors such as Rainmatter and Next Bharat Ventures backing us, we are confident of growing with deep impact.”

HDI is the world’s only multi-stream solid waste management company to be certified as a Fair Trade Guaranteed Enterprise by the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO). The company’s unique model integrates waste pickers and informal waste workers into the evolving circular economy, transforming them into Green Collar professionals and entrepreneurs

Google to Buy Carbon Credits from An Indian Startup that Turns Large Amounts of Agricultural Waste Into Biochar

Google has signed a significant deal to purchase carbon credits from an Indian startup called Varaha. This startup's initiative converts large amounts of agricultural waste into biochar, a form of charcoal that captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in the soil.

The Google-Varah deal is one of the biggest ever involving biochar, and is Google's first foray into India's carbon dioxide removal (CDR) sector.

Varaha is an innovative Indian startup focused on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) through the production of biochar. Varaha converts agricultural waste into biochar using pyrolysis Reactors.

Biochar is a form of charcoal that captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in the soil. Biochar not only helps mitigate CO2 emissions but also improves soil health, offering an alternative to traditional fertilizer.

Key Points:

Carbon Credits: Google has committed to purchase 100,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits from Varaha by 2030 as the catalytic first buyer of biochar credits produced by a Varaha facility in Gujarat, India.

Biochar Production: Varaha sources agricultural waste from hundreds of smallholder farms in India and converts it into biochar using Reactors.

Environmental Impact: Biochar not only helps mitigate CO2 emissions but also improves soil health, offering an alternative to traditional fertilizer.

Scalability: Varaha estimates that India's agricultural waste could generate enough biochar to store more than 100 million tons of CO2 annually.

This partnership is part of Google's broader strategy to achieve its net-zero emissions goal and support scalable solutions to address climate change.

Varaha has raised a total of $12.7 million from prominent funds such as RTP Global, Omnivore, Orios Venture Partners, and Japan’s Norinchukin Bank.

Besides Google, other tech giants are also exploring carbon credit purchases from Indian companies to offset their emissions. While specific deals haven't been widely publicized, companies like Microsoft and Amazon have shown interest in similar initiatives. These companies are looking to support carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects, such as biochar production, to help achieve their sustainability goals.

Waste Management Startup WeVOIS Gets ₹ 36 Cr in Series A Round from Negen Capital, Others

Jaipur-based waste management startup, WeVOIS, has raised INR 36 crore (USD 4.2 million) in its Series A funding round of funding, led by Negen Capital and Vyom Wealth (the Polycab family office), with additional participation from Venture Catalysts, SN Capital, Warmup Ventures, Marsshot Ventures (Razorpay Founders’ Fund), and other prominent angel investors.

This funding milestone reinforces WeVOIS’s mission to revolutionize waste management in India and establish the country as a global leader in sustainable waste practices.

Commenting on the funding, Abhishek Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of WeVOIS, said,

We are thrilled to receive this funding, which will significantly accelerate our mission of creating a cleaner and more sustainable future. Our sanitation partners, who are the backbone of our operations, play a pivotal role in our success. With over 1,500 sanitation workers and partnerships with 20+ municipal bodies, we are building a robust waste collection, recovery, and recycling ecosystem. We aim to establish 100 zero-waste cities in the next five years.

WeVOIS is spearheading efforts to reduce reliance on virgin resources, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and reclaim land by diverting waste from landfills. The company is setting up textile waste recycling facilities and bio-CNG plants to convert wet waste into clean energy, exemplifying innovation in sustainable waste management. Building on its proprietary technology powered by the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven analytics, WeVOIS is optimizing waste collection, enhancing material flows, reducing carbon emissions, and improving recycling efficiency.

Abhinav Vashistha, Co-Founder and CTO of WeVOIS, highlighted the company’s vision for innovation, stating,

We will use this funding to establish a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence for advanced waste processing, a first-of-its-kind facility in India. Our prototypes are ready for commercialization, allowing us to reduce waste and its environmental impact drastically. This is a vital step toward positioning India as a global pioneer in waste management technologies.

India generates approximately 62 million tonnes of waste annually, with only 12 million tonnes treated before disposal. This volume is expected to more than double by 2030, underscoring the urgent need for innovative, scalable solutions.

Neil Bahal, Founder of Negen Capital, expressed confidence in WeVOIS’s potential, stating,

The waste management sector has evolved significantly, driven by better regulations and heightened awareness. WeVOIS’s cutting-edge technology is uniquely positioned to address these challenges while creating immense value for investors and communities alike.

With this strategic investment, WeVOIS is poised to scale its operations, expand partnerships, and drive innovation across India. By combining advanced technology with a commitment to sustainability, the company aims to inspire transformative change in the industry while addressing India’s waste management challenges. The funding also marks a significant step toward establishing global benchmarks in waste management practices, paving the way for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy: 337 Tonnes of Toxic Waste Removal Process Beguns After 40 Years

After 40 years, the city of Bhopal has finally begun the process of removing the toxic waste left over from one of the world's worst tragic gas disaster in 1984. Recently, 337 metric tonnes of hazardous waste was transported from Bhopal to a disposal plant in Pithampur, about 230 km away. This move comes after the Madhya Pradesh High Court issued a directive, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

The waste is being transported in sealed containers under heavy security, and it will undergo incineration at the Pithampur Waste Management facility. The entire process is expected to take between three to nine months.

चालीस साल बाद भोपाल को इस कार्बाइड कारखाने के जहरीले कचरे से मुक्ति मिली #Bhopal pic.twitter.com/b2mhCYEW83

— Brajesh Rajput (@drbrajeshrajput) January 1, 2025

It's a significant step towards addressing the long-standing environmental and health concerns stemming from the disaster.

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy was one of the worst industrial disasters in history. It occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Around 40 tons of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from the UCIL plant, exposing over 500,000 people.

The area around the plant remains contaminated, and the removal of toxic waste has been a long and contentious process.

The 40-Year Long Efforts

The Madhya Pradesh High Court played a crucial role by issuing a directive on December 3, 2024, setting a four-week deadline for the removal of the toxic waste. The court emphasized the urgency of the situation and warned of contempt proceedings if the directive was not followed.

The long-standing environmental and health impacts of the toxic waste on the local community were a significant driving force. The waste, which includes traces of Sevin pesticide and methyl isocyanate (MIC), posed serious risks to soil and groundwater.

Local activists and residents have been vocal about the need to address the toxic waste issue for decades. Their persistent efforts and protests helped keep the issue in the spotlight and pressured authorities to take action.

The Cleaning Process

The removal process involved meticulous planning and coordination. 12 specialized containers were used to transport the 337 metric tonnes of waste to the Pithampur Waste Management facility, located about 230 km from Bhopal. The convoy was escorted by police, ambulances, and fire brigade units to ensure safe transit.

To prevent environmental contamination, the waste will undergo Incineration, which involves burning waste materials at high temperatures, typically between 900°C and 1200°C. This high heat breaks down the waste into its basic components — ash, flue gas, and heat. Incineration significantly reduces the volume of waste, often by 80-85%.

The Incineration process will be done at the Pithampur facility, where smoke will pass through special filters to to remove harmful substances. The resulting ash will be tested and, if confirmed free of toxic elements, sealed and buried to avoid soil and water contamination.

The heat generated during incineration can be used to produce electricity or heat, making it a form of waste-to-energy technology.

The ash left after incineration is mostly inorganic and can be disposed of in landfills. In some cases, metals can be recovered from the ash for recycling. In some cases, metals can be recovered from the ash for recycling.

This coordinated effort reflects the culmination of years of advocacy, legal action, and environmental planning to finally address the toxic legacy of the Bhopal gas tragedy.

Gurugram and NTPC to Ink Agreement for Waste-To-Charcoal Plant Using Torrefaction Tech

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) is set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Thermal Power Corporation on July 10 for the establishment of its first 'waste-to-charcoal plant' at the Bandhwari landfill, said media reports including Hindustan Times.

Once fully operational, this plant will convert 600 metric tons of waste generated from the city into 200 metric tons of coal daily. The initiative follows the cancellation of Ecogreen Energy’s contract for solid waste management, which had left MCG in a bind over new waste processing tenders.

To recall, in mid of the last month, the Haryana state government has declared a municipal solid waste exigency in Gurugram due to alarming levels of untreated waste adversely affecting the environment and public health. Under Section 22 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the state government has launched the Solid Waste Environment Exigency Program (SWEEP).

The Urban Waste to Charcoal Plant will utilize torrefaction technology, making the resultant flue gases easier to clean and the final product, torrefied charcoal, hydrophobic with a high heating value similar to conventional coal.

The Plant will be established by NTPC and is expected to be completed within 18 months. In a recent test, 50 metric tons of waste has successfully converted into green charcoal.

Torrefaction technology is a thermal treatment process that converts biomass (such as wood, agricultural residues, or organic waste) into a more energy-dense and stable material. To give the overview of process involved in Torrefaction technology, biomass is heated in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions) at temperatures typically between 200°C and 300°C. The process removes moisture and volatile compounds from the biomass, leaving behind a solid product known as "torrefied biomass" or "biochar."

Torrefied biomass has a higher energy content per unit weight compared to raw biomass. It can be used as a renewable fuel for heat and power generation.

The torrefaction process reduces the hygroscopic nature of biomass, making it less prone to absorbing moisture during storage and transportation.

Torrefied biomass produces fewer emissions (such as sulfur and nitrogen compounds) during combustion. It can replace coal in existing power plants, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, torrefied biomass can be compressed into pellets or briquettes for residential heating or industrial use.

In one of its green applications, Biochar resulting from torrefaction can enhance soil quality and carbon sequestration.

In summary, torrefaction improves biomass properties, making it a valuable resource for sustainable energy and waste management.

Cybercity Gurugram Witnessing Alarming Levels of Untreated Solid Waste, State Govt Declares Exigency

The Haryana government has declared a municipal solid waste exigency in Gurugram due to alarming levels of untreated waste adversely affecting the environment and public health. Under Section 22 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the state government has launched the Solid Waste Environment Exigency Program (SWEEP).

Haryana Chief Secretary T V S N Prasad announced that the state government has declared a municipal solid waste exigency in Gurugram.

The SWEEP initiative aims to tackle Gurugram's growing waste crisis by implementing comprehensive measures for waste collection, segregation, transportation, processing, and disposal across all 35 wards. Additional steps include a 24x7 control room, a GIS-based waste tracking map, and an awareness campaign. Daily reports will be submitted, and violations may result in fines or imprisonment. This move follows the Supreme Court's order emphasizing the right to a pollution-free environment.

Gurugram houses headquarters of top tech startups and companies including BharatPe, Info Edgde, Dhelivery, Zomato, MakeMytrip, and ReNeW Power. The city has witnessed rapid growth and this led to increased waste generation, straining existing infrastructure.

Gurugram and state authorities have failed to utilize the home grown companies working in waste management sector. The Haryana city, geographically located next to India's capital Delhi, is dubbed as "Cybercity". The city houses few waste management start-up companies. Ecogreen Energy is one of these which operates state-of-the-art waste management projects in Gurugram, Faridabad, Lucknow, and Gwalior. Another, Dump In Bin makes pavers and bricks from plastic and construction waste. 3R Zerowaste, is an another promising waste management startup, based out of Gurugram, that aims to reuse solid waste as an alternative to fossil-based feedstock.

Notably, Managing municipal solid waste (MSW) poses several challenges, including efficiently collecting waste from households, commercial areas, and public spaces requires well-organized systems. Inadequate infrastructure, irregular schedules, and improper handling can hinder effective collection. Proper waste segregation at the source is crucial. Lack of awareness, mixed waste disposal, and insufficient facilities for separate collection of recyclables, organic waste, and hazardous materials contribute to this challenge.

Waste management in India is a critical issue, and addressing it effectively requires concerted efforts. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) oversees waste management in India. In 2016, the MoEF&CC introduced the Solid Wastage Management (SWM) Rules, replacing the previous Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules that had been in place for 16 Years.

Despite challenges, several Indian cities have implemented successful waste management models including Indore, Alleppey (Kerala), Panaji, Mysuru, Aizawl, Pune, Suryapet (Telangana), and Surat which have made significant strides in waste management and could serve as models for the country.

In a successful waste management case study example, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) enforced mandatory waste segregation at the source into wet (biodegradable) and dry (recyclable) categories. Over 600 GPS-enabled vehicles collect segregated waste daily from households and commercial establishments, in a door to door manner, in Indore. A state-of-the-art facility handles 1,000 metric tons of waste daily, including a 15 MW waste-to-energy plant and a 200 TPD composting plant.

Addressing solid waste management challenges requires a holistic approach involving government, communities, and private sectors to create sustainable waste management systems.

Top Image — Flickr

ONGC Forms JV with EverEnviro to Establish 10 Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) Plants in India

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and EverEnviro Resource Management have formed a 50/50 joint venture to establish 10 compressed biogas (CBG) plants across India. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote clean energy and reduce the country's carbon footprint. This joint venture is a significant step towards enhancing domestic renewable energy production and reducing India's reliance on imported gas.

The collaboration aligns with the Government of India's initiatives like the Global Bio-Fuels Alliance and the ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2070.

The CBG plants are expected to utilize various types of organic waste to produce biogas, which can be used as a renewable source of energy. By utilizing diverse feedstocks such as agricultural waste, agro-industrial waste, energy crops, and municipal solid waste (MSW), the partnership aims to mitigate approximately 7.5 lakh tons of CO2 equivalent annually.

This move is also emphasizes the transition to clean energy by utilizing agro-industrial waste and MSW. The CBG plants will contribute significantly to mitigating carbon emissions, and the fermented organic manure produced as a byproduct will promote regenerative agriculture, enhancing soil health and fertility.

This aligns with India's commitment to increase the share of natural gas in its energy mix and support the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

The collaboration between ONGC and EverEnviro is an excellent example of how public and private sectors can work together to foster sustainable development and energy security.

EverEnviro Resource Management Private Limited, established by EverSource Capital in 2019, is a leading developer in the Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) sector in India. EverSource Capital is known for being India's leading climate impact investor and is an equal joint venture between the Everstone Group and Europe's Lightsource Bp.

EverEnviro is at the forefront of climate solution businesses, focusing on technologies and businesses that can limit environmental damage and promote sustainability. They are involved in various projects, including waste to energy, construction and demolition waste management, renewable natural gas, and collection and transportation of municipal solid waste.

The company is committed to developing green and brownfield projects that produce a low carbon alternative to fossil fuel-based natural gas. With a significant capital investment, EverEnviro is executing about 20 CBG projects across different states in India, aiming for a robust output of CBG.

EverEnviro's capital initiatives reflect their vision to lead the world in circular and sustainable climate solutions, creating a brighter and cleaner future for all.

It may recalled that under the GOBARdhan initiative of the Union Government, there exist over 1200 plants including 320 CBG plants and 892 Biogas plants, spread across the length and breadth of the country, covering as many as 450 districts, as per the records by Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan, on July 2023.

Compressed biogas (CBG) holds significant importance as a renewable energy resource due to its multiple benefits. Firstly, it is produced from organic waste materials through anaerobic digestion, making it a sustainable and renewable source of energy. Secondly, by capturing methane from organic waste, CBG production helps mitigate greenhouse gas emissions that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

The compression of biogas increases its energy density, making it a more practical and efficient fuel source for various applications. CBG can be used directly to produce electricity and heat, as an energy source for cooking, and is fully compatible for use in natural gas vehicles.

Moreover, Biogas systems recycle organic waste into renewable energy and soil products, reducing the volume of waste and preventing nutrients from entering waterways. Thus, CBG production can turn waste treatment into a revenue-generating opportunity, create new revenue streams, and offer local jobs in construction, engineering, project management, and more

Moving manure from open lagoons to an airtight biogas system reduces GHG emissions and helps protect air, water, and soil. Biogas systems can produce renewable energy 24/7/365 with a high reliability rate, supporting distributed generation of energy.

CBG is a key component in the transition to a low-carbon economy, offering environmental, economic, and energy benefits while promoting sustainable development and energy security.

Reliance Industries Becomes 1st Indian Company to Chemically Recycle Plastic Waste Into International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC)-plus Certified Circular Polymers

The new innovation at Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery became the first refinery to get the important ISCC-Plus Certification. 

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), operator of the world's largest integrated refining and petrochemical complex, has become the first Indian company to chemically recycle plastic waste-based pyrolysis oil into International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC)-Plus certified Circular Polymers. This new innovation is a testimony to RIL's commitment in reducing plastic waste and supporting Circular Economy in India.

Chemical recycling is a new development where the waste plastic, mechanically not recyclable, is converted to pyrolysis oil by suitable cracking of long polymer chain. Currently, most of the pyrolysis processes are based on thermal route which leads to lower yield and inferior quality of pyrolysis oil. RIL has developed a continuous catalytic pyrolysis technology which provides high yields of good quality pyrolysis oil from plastic waste. The process has been successfully demonstrated at demo scale.
RIL shipped its first batch of ISCC-Plus certified Circular Polymers, named CircuRepol™ (Polypropylene) and CircuRelene™ (Polyethylene).

RIL paves the way in India by using new technology to recycle plastic by converting plastic waste into special Circular Polymers, thereby making a positive impact on the environment. RIL’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through its innovative methods like chemical recycling which help create a Circular Economy. The company firmly believes in finding smart solutions to reduce plastic waste and inspire others to join in this journey towards a greener future.

CircuRepol™ and CircuRelene™ have been designed to lead the way in Circular Economy practices. RIL's Jamnagar refinery became the first refinery to get the important ISCC-Plus certification, proving that it can produce Circular Polymers through chemical recycling.

The ISCC-Plus certification guarantees that traceability and rules are followed in making Circular Polymers.

RIL has developed a technology that turns different types of plastic waste, including single- use and multi-layered plastics, into pyrolysis oil. The company is working with trusted partners to increase the production of this oil and turn the yield into Circular Polymers.

Chemical recycling has many benefits, including turning plastic waste into high-quality materials for new plastic. These materials can be used for packaging that comes into contact with food.

About Reliance Industries Limited

Reliance is India’s largest private sector company, with a consolidated revenue of INR 9,74,864 crore (US$118.6 billion), cash profit INR 1,25,951 crore (US$ 15.3 billion) and net profit of INR 73,670 crore (US$9.0 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2023. Reliance’s activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, advanced materials and composites, renewables (solar and hydrogen), retail and digital services.

Currently ranked 88th, Reliance is the largest private sector company from India to be featured in Fortune’s Global 500 list of 'World’s Largest Companies' for 2023. The company stands 45th in the Forbes Global 2000 rankings of 'World’s Largest Public Companies' for 2023, the highest among Indian companies. Reliance is the top-ranked Indian company and the only one in the top 100 on Forbes' 'World's Best Employers' 2023 list. Additionally, it is featured among LinkedIn’s 'Top Companies 2023: The 25 Best Workplaces To Grow Your Career In India.' Website: www.ril.com

LTIMindtree Partners UK-based Metasphere to Deliver Smart Sewers Solutions

LTIMindtree [NSE: LTIM, BSE: 540005], a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, announced that it has been selected as a strategic partner by Metasphere, a wastewater application specialist, to scale their Smart Sewers management platform. As a part of this engagement, LTIMindtree will transform Metasphere’s next-generation wastewater monitoring solution portfolio, and enable scalable delivery and platform to their customers.

Metasphere, part of Grundfos, provides smart network management solutions to the global utility industry. The company helps customers prevent leaks and spills for a cleaner, greener world and has deployed more than 200K sensors for their customers worldwide. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, the company offers intelligent, innovative, all-in-one wastewater application solutions. These solutions provide full network visibility, performance and forecasting that reduce telemetry ownership cost for customers to manage time-critical remote assets and system.

Sudhir Chaturvedi, President and Executive Board Member, LTIMindtree, said, “We are excited to partner with Metasphere, a Grundfos company, in their modernization program. With increasing focus on utilities worldwide, it has become critical to improve service delivery, reduce accidents and deliver real time insights to customers. After careful consideration by our team of experts, LTIMindtree took Metasphere’s cloud architecture and optimized it for AWS scale and cost. This transformation is enabling Metasphere in optimizing up to 25% of the total cost, while delivering almost unlimited scale and enhanced performance.”

Tim O’Brien, Chief Executive Officer, Metasphere, said, “This engagement is key to our ability to deliver modern, scalable solutions to all our utility clients worldwide. In LTIMindtree, we found an expert partner to support our diverse needs and bring in additional innovative offerings that we can integrate in our system in the future. We are confident that this partnership will bring us closer to our vision of leveraging our solutions to serve at least 10% of world’s population by 2040.”

The modernised solutions designed by LTIMindtree and built on AWS have significantly reduced Metasphere’s customer onboarding time from days to minutes and activated faster rollout of new features.

Paddy Fitzpatrick, UKI ISV Head, AWS, said, “We are excited to see organisations like LTIMindtree deliver innovative solutions for the water industry by building on AWS. This collaboration between LTIMindtree and Metasphere will give the utility industry access to new solutions such as real-time network visibility and wastewater monitoring to help reduce costs and enhance performance. Together, we can help the utility industry leverage the power of cloud to drive business value.”

Rosmerta to Set-Up 10 New Vehicle Scrappage Units in 3 Years, Investing ₹200 Crores

Rosmerta Technologies, India's leading automobile technology and automation firm is expanding its vehicle scrappage business to 200 million tons per annuum, from 20 mtpa.

The company operates a state-of-the-art vehicle scrapping facility in Manesar, with a capacity of processing 30,000 vehicles annually. After the capacity addition, they will be able to process up to 3 lakh vehicles annually.

This will entail an investment of INR 200 crores spread over the next three years for the plant and working capital (excluding land). 

Few states have begun to adopt these measures and released notifications regarding such Automotive Recycling Facilities. Rosmerta is ready to set up these facilities when regulatory push as well as subsidization policy by automotive OEMs come into play. A lead time of 6 months is required to set up any new plant.

The Minister for Road, Transport & Highways laid out the benefits of the vehicle scrappage policy during the 63rd SIAM convention held on 12 September in the capital. Nitin Gadkari mentioned that the output from scrapped vehicle materials saves about 33% on raw material costs and will bring down reliance on imported metals such as Aluminium and copper, as well as rubber. This in turn will complement the drive for circular economy.

It is pertinent to note that India is ranked fourth and sixth largest manufacturer of passenger and commercial vehicles respectively, and imports US$ 34.7 billion in metals each year.

Highlighting the financial benefits of the policy, the minister further said that the vehicle scrappage programme will generate an additional Rs 40,000 crore in GST revenue for the government. Furthering the initiative, the Central Government has provided a Rs 2,000 crore incentive to state governments via the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2022-23. The Minister also urged the auto OEM association and OEMs to make use of the policy and contribute through providing subsidies in exchange of old vehicles for new ones.

Mr. Kartick Nagpal, President at Rosmerta Technologies said, "We take pride in sharing our significant participation to the government's goal through this stride toward India's green ambitious Vehicle Scrappage Policy. With this move, we will be able to contribute in the circular economy by helping recycle 300,000 vehicles each year, across the country. At Rosmerta we believe in leading through impactful change through technology and increase the magnitude of safety, security and environmental consciousness. With this regard, we plan on investing INR 200 crores across India to leverage this situation and contribute to circular economy".

The National Vehicle Scrappage Policy was launched by the Prime Minister during August 2021.

While the Government has financially incentivised scrapping old vehicles and replacing them with new ones, over five million LMVs aged over 50 years, plying unchecked, highlighting the dire need for stringent policy push.

FY23 projected Group revenues – INR 900 CR

About Rosmerta:

Rosmerta Technologies Limited stands as a beacon of innovation in India's mobility solutions landscape. With a steadfast commitment to excellence and a rich history of groundbreaking advancements, Rosmerta has become a driving force in automotive technology. Rooted in a vision to create safer, smarter, and more connected Indian roads, the company is at the forefront of the Surakshit Safar initiative, dedicated to reducing road accidents and fatalities by 50 percent by 2024.

Rosmerta's offerings is its dominant position in the Indian High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP) Industry, boasting a remarkable 50% market share and leading in sustainable margins. Notably, it is the world's second-largest and India's foremost HSRP manufacturer, consistently excelling in government tenders.

Beyond HSRPs, Rosmerta excels in various other verticals, including Intelligent Transport Management Systems, Automated Testing Stations, Vehicle Scrapping Facilities, IOT/M2M Connectivity Solutions, Automated Driving Testing Tracks, and Smart Card-based RC & DL Solutions. These comprehensive solutions underline Rosmerta's dedication to transforming India's roads through cutting-edge technology.

How Japan's Release of Radioactive Water of Fukushima Plant into the Ocean and Jack Ma's New Startup Struck the Chords

From Thursday onwards, Japan has started to release 1.3 million tonnes of treated and diluted radioactive water from its stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately, this process expected to take decades.

Japan has started releasing the radioactive water into pacific ocean after it got the U.N. nuclear watchdog's approval to release treated radioactive water from the tsunami-impacted Fukushima plant into the ocean, despite fierce resistance from Beijing and some local residents.

China has already announced an immediate blanket ban on all aquatic products from Japan.

China’s customs department has said that it would stop importing all aquatic products originating from Japan – meaning the ban could potentially limit other oceanic products besides seafood such as sea salt and seaweed.

Meanwhile, early this month Chinese business magnate Jack Ma had already announced his new startup related to fishery and agriculture, based in Hangzhou city of China, which seems to be a calculated & anticipated move to feed the market demand of China post the ban on aquatic products from Japan.

Japan exported about $600 million worth of aquatic products to China in 2022, making it the biggest market for Japanese exports, with Hong Kong second. Sales to China and Hong Kong accounted for 42% of all Japanese aquatic exports in 2022.

According to statistics from Japan's Fisheries Agency, the total export value of seafood products in 2022 was about 387 billion yen ($2.6 billion) and has been on an upward trend over the past several years. With the Asian seafood market expanding, exports to China accounted for 22.5% of the total, with scallops, bonito and tuna being the main export items to China.

So Jack Ma would be tapping the $2.6 billion market with a start up company incorporated less then a month ago. 

Coincidently, Jack Ma, the Alibaba founder has been living in Japan amid the Chinese government’s ongoing crackdown on technology companies including Alibaba and its financial payments arm Alipay.

Even if our speculation is true to certain extent then this way Jack Ma has outsmarted the Crackdown by Chinese regulators, by foreseeing the opportunity in a series of unfortunate events.

Alibaba Group co-founder Jack Ma lectures students as a visiting professor at the University of Tokyo on June 12. | THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO

According to most recent report by a Chinese daily,  Jack Ma has turned his focus to agriculture and education. He has made several international trips to learn about sustainable food production. Media has also reported that Ma spent time studying fisheries and tuna farming in Japan, and he also traveled to Thailand where he visited a sea shrimp farming factory.

The nuclear water release, slammed by China as 'extremely selfish', comes 12 years after an earthquake and tsunami triggered a meltdown of nuclear reactors at the plant.

While the Japanese government has said it is safe to pump the 1.3mn tonnes of water into the sea, experts say regional neighbours mistrust explanations from the country responsible for the nuclear accident.

According to the Japanese government, the process is safe as it has treated the water - enough to fill 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools - used to cool the fuel rods of the Fukushima plant after it was damaged by the earthquake and resulting tsunami.

The so called "treated" radioactive-water will initially be released in smaller portions and with extra checks, with the first discharge totalling 7,800 cubic metres over about 17 days starting Thursday, according to Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO).

That water will contain about 190 becquerels of tritium per litre, below the WHO drinking water limit of 10,000 becquerels per litre, according to Tepco. A becquerel is a unit of radioactivity.

The Fukushima Daiichi plant was destroyed in March 2011 after a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake that resulted into powerful tsunami waves causing meltdowns in three reactors of Fukushima Plant. 

However, it is to be noted that the nuclear plant disaster was completely preventable, foreseen and avoidable, and according to reports, the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), had failed to meet basic safety requirements such as risk assessment, preparing for containing collateral damage, and developing evacuation plans.

In October 2012, TEPCO admitted for the first time that it had failed to take necessary measures for fear of inviting lawsuits or protests against its nuclear plants.

Waste To Wealth: 1200+ BioGas Plants Across 450 Indian Districts Registered on GOBARdhan Portal within Just 60 Days

CBG Plant, Ms Goverdhannathji Energies LLP, Kheda, Gujarat

The GOBARdhan initiative of the Union Government, which aims to transform “Waste to Wealth” using a “Whole of Government” approach, has started stimulating investments and reaping good results by creating a nurturing ecosystem for Compressed Biogas (CBG)/Biogas through a slew of policy enablers and attractive benefits.

Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) is an umbrella initiative of Govt. of India based on the whole of Government approach. It covers the entire gamut of schemes/programmes/policies promoting the conversion of organic waste like cattle dung/ agri-residue etc. to biogas/ CBG/ Bio CNG.

The Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan was launched by the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Mr Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 1st June 2023, is witnessing laudable enthusiasm from States/UTs and CBG/Biogas operators/ investors.

In a short span of just 60 days, over 1200 plants including 320 CBG plants and 892 Biogas plants, spread across the length and breadth of the country, covering as many as 450 districts have been registered on the portal.

CBG Plant, Mahindra Waste to Energy Solutions Ltd, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Among these, 52 Commissioned CBG plants registered on the portal have the capacity to process more than 6600 Tonne Per Day (TPD) of organic/agri residue to produce more than 300 TPD of CBG and more than 2000 TPD of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM).

The GOBARdhan portal streamlines the process of registration of functional, under construction or yet-to-start Biogas/Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants across the country.

The registrations are projected to rise further considering the renewed commitment and emphasis of the Government of India in creating a nurturing CBG/ Biogas ecosystem through a slew of enablers such as framing a scheme for Market Development Assistance (MDA) of Rs. 1500/Ton for promotion of organic fertilizers (co-product of GOBARdhan plants), amendment in Fertilizer Control Order to make marketing of FOM/Liquid FOM easier, exemption of central excise duty to CNG blended with CBG to prevent double taxation, inclusion of CBG in the list of activities for trading of carbon credit under bilateral/ cooperative approaches etc.

The CBG/Biogas operators/investors have welcomed the various initiatives under GOBARDhan. The upcoming policies such as fiscal support for biomass aggregation, pipeline connectivity from the CBG plants to the city gas distribution grid etc. are envisioned to create greater awareness and participation for the stakeholders across the value chain.

GOBARdhan initiative has been undertaken with the objective of scientific management of organic/ biodegradable waste while also providing resource and monetary benefits to rural households. The initiative is a convergence of interest and efforts of Government of India, State Governments, private players and other stakeholders.

Anyone who operates or intending to setup a biogas/ CBG/ Bio CNG plant in India can obtain a registration number by registering in this unified regitration portal. The registration number is required to avail benefits/ support from other Ministries/ Departments.

Who can apply

Any government/ private entity operating or intending to setup a Biogas/ CBG/ Bio CNG plant can apply in this portal.

For Biogas plants, the designed gas production capacity should be greater than or equal to 10 cubic meter per day.

For Step by step guideline for registration, check this YouTube video

 

Israeli Business Conglomerate Halman-Aldubi Group Partners CEF Group India to Convert Slaughterhouse Waste into Fish Food for India

The efforts will revolutionize the Indian meat/poultry industry through effective slaughterhouse waste management

Being the 3rd largest fish-producing country, India accounts for 8% of global fish production, making this step an important endeavour in boosting the fish industry.

With technology and innovation as the key, both the companies from India and Israel are focusing on using a waste-to-value approach and driving new economic opportunities

CEF Group, a leading Indian organization dedicated to waste management, has partnered with Halman-Aldubi Group, a renowned Israeli company with expertise in finance, energy, climate, and technology management solutions, to convert slaughterhouse waste into protein-rich food for fish. Aiming to revolutionize waste management practices in the slaughterhouse industry, this partnership between CEF Group and Halman-Aldubi Group will ensure slaughterhouse waste management implementation in India in alignment with the commitment of India and Israel towards sustainability and innovation. By converting slaughterhouse waste into fish food, the collaboration addresses key environmental challenges while promoting a circular economy and waste management innovation.

Maninder Singh Nayyar CEF Group , Mr Rony Halman, Chairman, Halman- Aldubi Group and Juliane Schubert

The primary objective of this collaboration is to provide a valuable and eco-friendly solution for the utilization of slaughterhouse waste. Instead of being discarded or having negative environmental impacts, the waste will be harnessed to produce nutrient-dense food for fish.

"The collaboration between CEF Group and Halman-Aldubi Group signifies our joint commitment to addressing global challenges in waste management, environmental sustainability, and the production of high-quality fish feed," said Mr Maninder Singh, Founder & CEO, CEF Group. "India plays a vital role in global meat exports as it has significant livestock resources. The poultry, livestock, and fisheries sectors contribute to over 6% of India's GDP, highlighting their economic importance. As the demand for nutritious food continues to rise, both in India and globally, the demand for meat is expected to follow suit, thereby contributing more to slaughterhouse waste generation. If this slaughterhouse waste is not managed properly, it can have detrimental effects on the environment leading to soil contamination, water pollution, foul odour, air pollution and disease transmission, ultimately affecting industry growth. Therefore, CEF Group is bringing forth this joint initiative to handle and manage slaughterhouse waste responsibly and mitigate these environmental and health concerns.”

Halman-Aldubi Group, with its expertise and cutting-edge technology, will ensure that the converted fish feed meets the nutritional requirements for optimal growth and health of fish. One notable aspect of this collaboration is the advanced technology employed in the conversion process.

“This pioneering technology uses a steam process to sterilize the input feed while guaranteeing a process free from burning or pollution. Moreover, the plant design optimization allows for the establishment of a 60-ton-per-day input feed plant in just 300-metre square of space. The plant can be set up within slaughterhouses, maximizing efficiency and convenience. This slaughterhouse waste can be utilized for various processes like Anaerobic Digestion, Enzymatic Hydrolysis, Rendering, Insect Bioconversion, Microbial Fermentation and Algae Cultivation. From waste reduction, recycling resource conservation and reduced harmful impact on the environment to enhanced fish health and nutrition and cost-effective and sustainable feed production, this initiative can bring a groundbreaking change”, said, Mr Rony Halman, Chairman, Halman- Aldubi Group.

CEF Group and Halman-Aldubi Group have also worked out possibilities to export the outcome products to foreign developed countries, ensuring export-quality materials. This not only contributes to waste reduction and resource conservation but also creates economic opportunities and fosters international collaboration. As part of their shared vision, they also aim to establish a model that can be replicated and scaled up in various locations, fostering a widespread positive impact on waste management practices and the agriculture industry.

About CEF Group

It is an energy solutions company with a vast portfolio and solutions expertise. CEF has waste processing plants coming up in Srinagar, Ahmedabad, Jammu, Muzaffarnagar and various other locations in the country and four plants outside India as well. CEF is an established name in Renewable Energy, Organic Manure, Retail, Ayurveda, and Capacity Building. It delivers reliable, clean, green and smart business models for the global waste processing sector. CEF Group harnesses natural takeaways from the planet and brings humanity closer to sustainable solutions compatible with processes that contribute to making this world greener.

Website link: https://cefgroup.in

IIT Roorkee Researchers Develop Coating for Disposable Paper That is Water Soluble, Promoting Sustainability and Waste Management

IIT Roorkee Licenses technology for Environment-Friendly coating for Disposable Paper to Promote Sustainability and Waste Management

A Step Towards a Cleaner and Greener Future

IIT Roorkee Addressing Recycling Challenges and Environmental Concerns and Contributing to Clean India and Make in India Initiatives

The Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), has committed to protecting the environment through new technological development. A team of researchers at IITR developed a coating for disposable paper that is water soluble and will be used in various applications with requirements of food freshness retention and replace plastic coatings commonly used in food-grade packaging papers and paperboards. The innovative coating formulation aims to eliminate the use of plastic in disposable paper and paperboard products, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable society. By enabling the recycling of disposable products, this technology has a significant positive impact on the environment, improving waste material collection and reducing the burden on landfill sites.

IITR transferred the technology to M/s M S Papers, New Delhi, for commercial application. Mr Gurmeet Singh, MD of the company, stated, "This is an intrinsic part of the technological innovation process, and we are thankful to IIT Roorkee for the technology transfer. The demand for 'sustainable paper and paperboard packaging' has exerted substantial pressure on producers to eliminate barrier coatings that employ polyethene, paraffin-based waxes, silicones, and fluoro-chemicals, and switch to more environmentally friendly options." Mr. Singh expressed confidence in collaboration with IIT Roorkee, highlighting the local availability of coating materials, in-house technical capabilities to address customer challenges, and the ability to meet end-user’s requirements”.

IIT Roorkee Licenses technology for Environment-Friendly coating for Disposable Paper to Promote Sustainability and Waste Management

During the agreement signing ceremony, Prof K K Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, expressed, "We are delighted to transfer this breakthrough technology for an environment-friendly coating for the disposable paper to M/s M S Papers. This collaboration reflects our commitment to protecting the environment and supporting the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. By eliminating the use of plastic in disposable paper products, we are contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable society. This technology addresses environmental concerns and transforms disposable paper waste into recyclable materials, reducing solid municipal waste and promoting a circular economy. This transfer will significantly impact society, aligning with our vision of a cleaner and greener India."

Researchers, including Prof Dharam Dutt, Prof Millie Pant, Prof Akshay Dvivedi, Dr Anurag Kulshreshtha and Mr Brahma Prakash, explained the features of the technology. This breakthrough technology will be a significant milestone in reducing solid municipal waste and transforming disposable paper and paperboard materials into recyclable ones, which is currently a considerable challenge. The technology addresses environmental concerns and resolves recycling issues associated with disposable paper waste, converting it into value-added products. Considering the environmental hazards, many countries, including India, have taken steps to ban "Single-Use Plastics." While the laws have been formalized and implemented, there is a need for greater momentum in executing this ban to achieve visible results. The development of water-soluble coating by IIT Roorkee significantly contributes to Clean India and Make in India initiatives, becoming a game-changer.

Prof Rajat Agrawal, Associate Dean of Innovation and Incubation at IITR, informed that the IIT Roorkee campus has one of the most vibrant Innovations and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems. IIT Roorkee offers help to researchers to improve their Technology Readiness Level for better commercialization of technologies, providing support to faculty members for starting their scientific spin-offs.

In this context, developing the water-soluble coating by IIT Roorkee emerges as a game-changer. It significantly contributes to Clean India and Make in India initiatives to promote sustainable practices and domestic manufacturing. By eliminating the need for plastic coatings in disposable paper products, this technology aligns with the goals of creating a cleaner and greener India. It demonstrates a great step forward in advancing environmental sustainability and positively impacting waste management practices.

Overall, the technology transfer of the water-soluble coating for disposable paper has the potential to bring about a significant positive impact on society by promoting sustainability, reducing plastic waste, improving waste management, and supporting the growth of the MSME sector.

About IIT Roorkee

IIT Roorkee is an institute of national importance imparting higher education in engineering, sciences, management, architecture and planning, and humanities and social sciences. Since its establishment in 1847, the Institute has played a vital role in providing the country with technical human resources and know-how.