CBG in India: Turning Urban Waste into Clean Energy

India’s cities are growing fast, and with them, the challenge of managing municipal solid waste (MSW). Overflowing landfills, toxic emissions, and groundwater pollution are becoming everyday realities. But what if this waste could become a powerful tool for clean energy?

That’s exactly what Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORS) has been demonstrating. Through advanced anaerobic digestion processes, innovative segregation lines, and technologies such as the MethanoBoost Catalyst (MBC), ORS is unlocking the potential of waste and biomass valorization to produce compressed biogas (CBG).

Why MSW-to-CBG Matters for India

Urban Waste Burden: India produces over 62 million tonnes of MSW annually.
Climate Impact: Methane from landfills contributes massively to global warming.
Energy Security: As natural gas is a non-renewable resource, replacing non-renewable gas imports with CBG ensures energy independence.
Circular Economy: By integrating and responsibly managing MSW processing, India can recycle resources, reduce emissions, and create value.

The Biogas Production Process

Anaerobic Digestion

The anaerobic digestion process uses microbes in production of biogas to break down organic matter without oxygen. The biogas production process steps include:

Hydrolysis – organic polymers break down.
Acidogenesis – acids and alcohols form.
Acetogenesis – acetic acid and hydrogen are generated.
Methanogenesis – methane-rich biogas is released.

These biogas production stages are influenced by factors affecting biogas production such as feedstock quality, temperature, microbial balance, and pH control.

From Biogas to CBG

Raw biogas is purified by removing CO₂, H₂S, and water vapor. The result is compressed biogas (CBG) with over 95% methane, a renewable alternative to CNG. Unlike non-renewable gas, CBG is fully sustainable and reduces carbon intensity.

MSW to CBG: Transforming Urban Waste into Green Energy

One of the most promising pathways in India’s renewable energy transition is converting Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into Compressed Biogas (CBG). Instead of letting organic fractions of waste end up in overflowing landfills, ORS technology channels them into sustainable biogas production plants.

Key Feedstock from MSW for CBG Plants

MSW Organics – Food scraps, garden trimmings, and organic municipal waste are the core feedstock.
Segregated Wet Waste – Ensures a consistent and clean input for the anaerobic digestion process.
Bioenzymes & Microbes – Support faster decomposition, improving methane yield during biogas production stages.
Digestate – A by-product of digestion, repurposed as organic fertilizer, contributing to waste valorization.

Why MSW to CBG Matters

Reduces landfill dependency and methane emissions.
Aligns with India’s SATAT Scheme to establish a nationwide CBG infrastructure.
Provides a renewable substitute for natural gas, helping industries and transport reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Supports urban waste management while creating a circular economy.

With advanced waste-to-energy technologies, ORS ensures that MSW to CBG plants in India not only address the growing urban waste challenge but also contribute to the nation’s clean energy goals.

Solapur Bio-Energy Systems Private Limited (SBESPL)

ORS Innovation: MethanoBoost Catalyst (MBC)

ORS recently introduced MethanoBoost Catalyst, validated by SSS-NIBE, which improves methane yield by up to 30%. This breakthrough boosts the efficiency of the biogas production process especially when using challenging feedstock like paddy straw or mixed MSW.

This innovation significantly reduces CBG plant cost in India per unit of gas produced and positions ORS as a leader among biogas plant manufacturers in India.

Real-World Momentum: Case Studies

ORS Solapur Plant – India’s first integrated MSW processing facility, handling 400 TPD of waste to generate CBG and organic manure, setting global benchmarks.

This project provides invaluable data for preparing CBG plant project reports, helping investors, policymakers, and engineering companies expand future projects.

Applications of CBG Beyond Transport

CBG isn’t just a fuel—it’s a multi-sector solution:

Urban Transport – replaces CNG in buses, autos, and trucks.
Industrial Heating – alternative to furnace oil and LPG.
Fertilizer Production – digestate reduces chemical dependence.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel – R&D is exploring conversion of biogas into next-gen jet fuels.

The Role of Engineering Companies

The success of CBG plants depends on strong collaborations with engineering companies for design, construction, and maintenance. With increasing demand, engineering companies in Mumbai like ORS are leading the charge by providing end-to-end cleantech solutions—from feasibility studies to commissioning.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges:

Feedstock Consistency – mixed MSW and poor segregation.
Technology Adoption – advanced anaerobic digestion wastewater treatment systems need higher investment.
Cost Factor – financing large-scale projects given current CBG plant cost in India.

Opportunities:

Government Support – SATAT incentives, carbon credits, and fiscal benefits.
Biogas Plant Manufacturers – growing network across India ensures scalability.
Community-Level Units – decentralized biogas production plants for kitchens, institutions, and localities.

Conclusion

Biogas production in India is no longer an experiment—it’s a proven pathway to sustainable growth. By managing MSW through anaerobic digestion process, India can replace non-renewable gas with a truly renewable resource.

As biogas plant manufacturers and engineering companies in Mumbai like ORS innovate with catalysts, enzymes, and optimized designs, the cost-efficiency of CBG is improving rapidly. With the SATAT scheme and public-private partnerships

From waste bins to fuel tanks India’s MSW-to-CBG revolution is here. ORS is proud to be leading this green transformation.