In a new achievement, VERBIO India Pvt. Ltd. has become the first company in India to receive the ISCC EU and ISCC Plus certifications for its Biomethane (Compressed Biogas or CBG) project, marking a major milestone in sustainable energy and environmental practices. The project, located in Punjab, is also India’s first and largest facility to produce CBG from paddy straw—an agricultural residue that is traditionally burned by farmers after harvest, contributing significantly to air pollution.
Since launching in April 2022, VERBIO’s facility has been at the forefront of transforming agricultural waste into a clean, renewable energy source. The facility leverages a highly efficient, state-of-the-art technology that processes paddy stubble, which would otherwise be discarded through burning, and converts it into biogas used for various industrial, commercial, and automotive applications.
The project has already garnered wide praise for its multiple environmental and social benefits. By reducing stubble burning within a radius of at least 10 kilometers, the plant has provided significant relief to air quality and public health in the region. Additionally, it supports farmers by offering a no-cost stubble collection service, cutting down on the costs and challenges associated with stubble management. This initiative has also created numerous job opportunities, fostering economic growth in rural areas.
Beyond providing a climate-friendly energy alternative, VERBIO’s project is helping to improve soil health by introducing bio-manure as a byproduct, benefiting the farming community in the long term. This has made the facility not just a project focused on sustainable energy but also a catalyst for broader agricultural reforms.
“By using the proven technology that VERBIO has developed and commercialized over the past two decades, this plant stands as a model of innovation and environmental responsibility,” said a VERBIO spokesperson. “Our project is not only the first of its kind in India, but it sets a new standard for how the country can address critical issues like stubble burning, energy security, and environmental protection.”
This plant, which is the largest commissioned under India’s SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) program, is a key part of India’s growing push for renewable energy solutions. The SATAT initiative, launched in October 2018, aims to promote the production and use of BioCNG across the country, and VERBIO’s facility is a clear leader in this space.
As India continues to confront the challenges of stubble burning and air pollution, VERBIO’s Biomethane project stands as a promising example of how innovative solutions can be implemented to meet the needs of both rural communities and environmental sustainability. This achievement marks just the beginning, as the company plans to expand its operations in the coming years, further contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
