Bengaluru: altM, a deep-tech materials company focused on developing sustainable alternatives to fossil-based chemicals, has launched a fully integrated biorefinery pilot plant in Bengaluru, marking its shift from laboratory research to pilot-scale manufacturing, The Tribune reported.
The company said the facility demonstrates its ability to produce industrial-grade, bio-based materials that can be used within existing manufacturing systems without requiring major changes.
Modern manufacturing largely depends on a limited range of petrochemical inputs, whereas natural processes create strength and durability using simpler molecular structures. altM aims to adapt these natural processes to develop high-performance materials suited for a post-petrochemical future.
The pilot plant has a production capacity of 15–50 tonnes per year, allowing the company to scale output from kilograms to tonnes while assessing throughput, yield, quality and production costs under real industrial conditions. Materials produced at the facility are already being evaluated for use in cosmetics, wood adhesives and construction inputs—sectors known for high performance requirements and strong reliance on petrochemicals.
Apoorv Garg, CEO and co-founder of altM, said the pilot is intended to show that bio-based materials can meet industrial performance and commercial standards at scale. He added that the company is focused on producing materials that fit smoothly into existing value chains while remaining cost-effective and scalable.
The integrated biorefinery is designed to generate several functional materials from a single system, including a cellulose-based rheology modifier, a formaldehyde-free lignin wood adhesive and a lignin-based UV blocker. By using all components of the biomass within one process, the company expects to improve yields, economics and scalability.
Yugal Raj Jain, COO and co-founder, said the facility will help the company test operations, refine processes and build the manufacturing capability needed for commercial production. He added that the plant has been designed to be capital-efficient, repeatable and capable of operating under real-world conditions.
The pilot facility is expected to begin generating early commercial revenue from the first quarter of 2026. altM plans to commission its first commercial manufacturing plant, with a capacity of 1,500–2,000 tonnes per annum, in 2027 and aims to expand to 10,000 tonnes within five years through a decentralised production model.
