Germany-based bioenergy conglomerate Verbio Group has revealed that its expanding operations in India with plans to establish around 10 new compressed biogas (CBG) plants in Punjab. The objective of the new CBG plants is to tackle stubble burning and support India’s clean energy goals. The move comes alongside rising winter pollution levels in Delhi-NCR, where stubble burning is a major contributor.
Speaking at the 2nd International Conference and Exhibition on Bioenergy and Technologies organised by IFGE in New Delhi, Claus Sauter, Founder and CEO of Verbio, said the company is already running a large-scale CBG facility in Punjab and is now scaling up efforts. “Most of the new projects are planned in Punjab, and we are also exploring partnerships with local companies,” he noted.
The company’s existing plant converts paddy stubble and other agricultural residues—traditionally burnt by farmers—into clean fuel. It can process 100,000 tonnes of residue annually, producing 33 tonnes of CBG per day and 650 tonnes of bio-manure. The CBG replaces imported natural gas, reducing India’s energy dependence, while the bio-manure improves soil fertility. Farmers benefit both by selling stubble and by avoiding the harmful effects of burning it, which depletes soil nutrients.
“CBG not only provides a viable business case but also creates jobs and adds value to rural communities,” Sauter said, emphasizing that the project is as much about supporting farmers as it is about energy.
To achieve its expansion goals, Verbio is in talks with the Indian government and local stakeholders. The company believes CBG has the potential to replicate the ethanol industry’s success and plans to explore further investments in bio-energy, ethanol, and biomass-based biogas.
However, Sauter highlighted the need for stronger natural gas grid infrastructure, as Punjab is scaling up CBG production and requires efficient market access for distribution.
In 2024, Verbio entered into an MoU with GAIL India Ltd to jointly explore the development of CBG across India, utilizing agricultural residues.
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