India’s Infistar Renewables, Finland’s Arciplug to make modular CBG plants in India

India’s Infistar Renewables has entered into a joint venture with Finland-based Arciplug Oy to manufacture Modular Plug Flow Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants in India, marking the first deployment of the European technology in the country.

The joint venture, Arcistar Bioenergy Pvt. Ltd., will deliver fully factory-built, turnkey “Make in India” modular CBG plants with capacities of up to 3 tonnes per day (TPD). The modular units will be manufactured in India and assembled at project sites, enabling the conversion of agricultural residue, municipal solid waste (MSW), and other organic waste into clean, renewable energy.

The companies said the technology has already been successfully deployed across Europe and parts of Asia, and its introduction in India aligns with the country’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels while promoting sustainable waste management and clean energy generation.

Infistar Renewables informed that compared with conventional CBG plants, which typically require 12-18 months to become operational, the modular plants are expected to begin biogas production within four to five months. The dry anaerobic digestion technology also requires significantly less water than wet digestion systems, consumes around 30 per cent less feedstock, and has lower energy requirements, helping reduce operating costs.

Designed as an open and modular platform, the technology can process more than 100 different feedstocks, including Napier grass, paddy straw, municipal solid waste, press mud, cotton residue, fruit and vegetable waste, poultry litter, and fish waste. This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of agricultural, industrial, and municipal waste-to-energy applications.

As part of the agreement, Infistar Renewables is setting up a pilot project in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district with an investment of around Rs. 50 crore. The project will adopt a circular economy model, with Napier grass cultivated on-site as feedstock, captive solar power meeting the plant’s energy requirements, and organic manure produced as a by-product. The compressed biogas generated will be supplied to a city gas distribution company under a 15-year offtake arrangement.

Looking ahead, Arcistar Bioenergy plans to deploy around 150 Modular Plug Flow CBG systems across India over the next five years. The company expects supportive government initiatives, including the SATAT and GOBARdhan schemes, along with favourable central and state policies, to drive adoption of modular CBG plants among MSMEs and industries, strengthening India’s transition to a circular and low-carbon economy.

Suhrid V Sarabhai, CMD, Infistar Group, said, “With the help of our collaboration with Arciplug, we are offering a solution to India which will cater to the nation’s multiple needs, which include energy security, climate change, waste management and rural development, at one time.”

Jari Valtanen, Vice President, Arciplug Oy, stated, “India is one of the most exciting market for sustainable bioenergy in the world and it gives us great pleasure that we can be associated with Infistar Renewables to bring our technology, MODULAR PLUG FLOW to India. We have already established the technology successfully in many countries under different conditions and we are confident that it will aid India in achieving its sustainability goals.”