Udupi: A village near Hebri in Udupi district has become the site of India’s first large-scale biofuel and biochar carbon removal plant, marking a major step toward clean energy. The facility, set up by MASH Makes, an Indo-Danish climate tech startup, uses waste from the cashew industry to produce renewable fuel and carbon-rich biochar, reports The Times of India.
Since operations began, the plant has produced 2,900 metric tonnes of biochar (wet basis) and 1,050 metric tonnes of biofuel, the company said.
Rohit Nagargoje, Chief Operating Officer of MASH Makes, said the company’s process converts cashew waste into useful products while reducing waste. He said the Udupi facility shows how clean energy can be produced near the source of raw materials and then supplied to key industrial areas.
The biofuel produced is used mainly in industries such as shipping and heavy manufacturing, while the biochar helps improve soil quality, retain moisture, and boost crop yields. It also supports carbon credit generation, rewarding efforts to reduce emissions. “Farmers across the country are already using our biochar and seeing good results,” Rohit said.
The Udupi unit, run by SPV 1 Energy Products, started with one machine in April 2023 and added three more in January 2024. It has since processed over 7,000 tonnes of biomass. The plant currently employs 125 people, with 65% of them from nearby villages. Rohit said the project shows how clean technology can create local jobs while helping the environment.
Udupi was chosen because of its easy access to cashew processing units in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. The plant now uses about 2,000 tonnes of cashew residue every month. The company plans to use other types of crop waste for future plants, Rohit said.
Ross Allen, Chief Impact Officer of MASH Makes, said India offers great potential for expanding carbon removal projects. He said the company is looking at other farm residues for upcoming projects and sees India as one of the most promising countries for such work.
Earlier this year, Karnataka’s Industries Minister MB Patil announced that MASH Makes would invest ₹100 crore in the state. Rohit said half of this investment has already been completed and the rest will be done within a year.
“MASH Makes is helping place Udupi on the global map for carbon removal,” said Ross. “We believe biochar can reduce the need for chemical fertilisers and help farmers move toward more sustainable practices.”
