altM commences biorefinery to develop sustainable materials for industries

Sustainability tech company altM has announced the launch of its fully integrated biorefinery pilot plant in Bengaluru that marks its transition from laboratory R&D to pilot-scale manufacturing. The biorefinery validates the ability of altM to produce industrial-grade, bio-derived materials with drop-in compatibility across existing manufacturing systems.

While modern manufacturing relies on a narrow set of petrochemical inputs, nature builds strength, flexibility, and durability using a far simpler molecular toolkit. altM says that it is translating that toolkit into high-performance materials for a post-petrochemical world.

The pilot plant operates at 15–50 tons per annum, enabling altM to scale production from kilograms to tons while testing throughput, yield, quality, and unit economics under real industrial conditions.

Initial materials produced at the facility are already being evaluated across cosmetics, wood adhesives, and construction inputs, some of the most performance-sensitive and petrochemical-dependent sectors.

“Our focus is not demonstration chemistry, but manufacturable materials that integrate seamlessly into existing value chains. This plant is the proof point that sustainable, low-carbon materials can be produced at scale and make economic sense. The climate transition will only happen when sustainable materials outperform incumbents on cost and scalability,” said Apoorv Garg, CEO & Co-Founder, altM.

altM’s integrated biorefinery produces multiple functional materials from a single system, including a cellulose-based rheology modifier, a 100% formaldehyde-free lignin wood adhesive, and a lignin-based UV blocker. By utilizing all fractions of the biomass within one process, the company improves yields, unit economics, and scalability.

“The real challenge with bio-based materials is execution at scale. This pilot plant allows us to stress-test operations, refine process controls, and build the manufacturing discipline required for commercial deployment. We’ve designed a facility that is capital-efficient, repeatable, and robust under real-world conditions. Now we’re translating years of R&D into consistent, reliable production”, said Yugal Raj Jain, COO & Co-Founder, altM.

The pilot facility is expected to generate early commercial revenue from Q1 2026. altM plans to commission its first commercial manufacturing plant (1,500–2,000 TPA) in 2027.