CBG Plant to Make Kochi a Model for Sustainable Waste Management
OIL & GAS

CBG Plant to Make Kochi a Model for Sustainable Waste Management

The commissioning of the compressed biogas (CBG) plant marks a transformation in Kochi's waste management and positions the city as a model for sustainable practice. The facility, constructed by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), has a capacity of 150 t per day and occupies 10 acres at the Brahmapuram site that had been filled with legacy waste two years earlier. The project is the first of its kind in the country.

The initiative began in June 2023 after the High Court directed the state government to expedite implementation of BPCL's proposal following the Brahmapuram fire, which had prompted renewed focus on scientific waste management. BPCL reported that trial operations using cow dung commenced the following March and that gas generation started in January. The technical works and construction were expedited once the proposal was submitted, according to company statements.

BPCL stated that the plant is connected to the refinery by a dedicated pipeline and forms part of the company's plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. Waste will be segregated on site, with non-biodegradable materials handed to Kochi Corporation, while separation and compression will generate methane for use in the refinery and two biofertilisers. The company has held talks with Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore to sell the biofertilisers and suggested that CBG production could reduce liquefied natural gas imports and support a five per cent blending obligation from 2028-29.

Kochi will begin CBG operations with 50 t of food waste and expects to scale up to 150 t within three months, supported by two operational black soldier fly (BSF) plants to improve municipal waste handling. The mayor said the facility will strengthen the corporation's waste management and a former mayor recalled that plans for a windrow compost plant gave way to a proposal for a waste-to-energy option, which in turn led to the suggestion to build a CBG unit. Similar plants are expected in other local bodies to advance scientific and sustainable waste systems.

The commissioning of the compressed biogas (CBG) plant marks a transformation in Kochi's waste management and positions the city as a model for sustainable practice. The facility, constructed by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), has a capacity of 150 t per day and occupies 10 acres at the Brahmapuram site that had been filled with legacy waste two years earlier. The project is the first of its kind in the country. The initiative began in June 2023 after the High Court directed the state government to expedite implementation of BPCL's proposal following the Brahmapuram fire, which had prompted renewed focus on scientific waste management. BPCL reported that trial operations using cow dung commenced the following March and that gas generation started in January. The technical works and construction were expedited once the proposal was submitted, according to company statements. BPCL stated that the plant is connected to the refinery by a dedicated pipeline and forms part of the company's plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. Waste will be segregated on site, with non-biodegradable materials handed to Kochi Corporation, while separation and compression will generate methane for use in the refinery and two biofertilisers. The company has held talks with Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore to sell the biofertilisers and suggested that CBG production could reduce liquefied natural gas imports and support a five per cent blending obligation from 2028-29. Kochi will begin CBG operations with 50 t of food waste and expects to scale up to 150 t within three months, supported by two operational black soldier fly (BSF) plants to improve municipal waste handling. The mayor said the facility will strengthen the corporation's waste management and a former mayor recalled that plans for a windrow compost plant gave way to a proposal for a waste-to-energy option, which in turn led to the suggestion to build a CBG unit. Similar plants are expected in other local bodies to advance scientific and sustainable waste systems.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Resources

Schindler named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026

Schindler has been named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2026, a global ranking recognising companies for their workplace environments.Compiled by Forbes in partnership with Statista, the ranking is based on independent employee feedback, including whether employees would recommend their organisation to friends and family.The company said the recognition reflected its focus on creating a workplace where employees can develop their expertise and build careers. ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India needs an export-execution mindset: Vishesh Jain

Interview with Vishesh Jain, Founder & CEO, EximpleWhat gaps in India’s global trade ecosystem led you to build Eximple, and what problem did you see businesses struggling with most?Eximple came out of a problem that all three founders had seen from different choke points in the trade ecosystem. India has millions of MSMEs and manufacturers, and many of them can make products that are genuinely competitive on quality. Yet only a small fraction is able to build meaningful international businesses. In our experience, the gap is usually not manufacturing capability; it is the ability to exe..

Next Story
Building Material

Nuvoco reports 13.5% revenue growth in Q2 FY27

Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd. reported consolidated revenue of Rs 27.9 billion for Q2 FY27, up 13.5% year on year. Cement sales volume rose 9% to 4.7 million tonnes (MMT), while EBITDA increased 11% to Rs 4.11 billion.The company said it began its cement operations in 2014 with a 2.3 MMT per annum (MMTPA) operation at Nimbol. It now aims to reach 35 MMTPA of cement capacity by FY28, nearly 15 times its initial capacity. Its portfolio spans cement, ready-mix concrete and modern building materials.On sustainability and cost efficiency, Nuvoco partnered with CleanMax for a 46.4 MW wind-solar hybrid re..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code