As winter approaches, pollution once again threatens Delhi-NCR, creating a growing demand for clean energy solutions—and new business opportunities for companies operating in the region.
In Punjab, a key hotspot for stubble burning, Germany-based Verbio Group is expanding its presence by setting up around 10 new bio-energy plants. These facilities will complement the company’s existing operations and aim to convert agricultural residue, especially crop stubble, into clean energy, helping to address both air pollution and energy sustainability.
Speaking at the 2nd International Conference and Exhibition on Bioenergy and Technologies in New Delhi, Claus Sauter, Founder and CEO of Verbio Group, told ANI that the installation of these Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants is already underway. “Right now, around 10 new plants are in the pipeline, most of them in Punjab. We are also looking to partner with local companies in India, that’s our immediate objective,” Sauter said.
The company has already started producing compressed biogas from paddy stubble, an agricultural waste product that farmers typically burn after harvest. Verbio’s existing plant can process 100,000 tonnes of agricultural residue annually, generating 33 tonnes of CBG and 650 tonnes of bio-manure per day.
According to Sauter, the initiative not only supports rural employment and economic growth but also contributes significantly to environmental goals. “The business case is viable and profitable. But more importantly, it brings jobs and value to rural communities. We’re working directly with farmers,” he said.
Beyond energy production, the project offers environmental and agricultural benefits. By supplying their stubble to CBG plants, farmers avoid burning it—an act that depletes soil nutrients and contributes heavily to air pollution. Instead, the biomass is turned into valuable bio-manure, which enriches soil health and enhances crop yields. “It’s a win-win: cleaner air, healthier soil, and better harvests,” Sauter noted.
To scale up operations, Verbio is actively engaging with the Indian government and exploring partnerships with domestic companies. The company is optimistic about the potential of CBG and sees it as the next big opportunity in India’s clean energy transition—similar to the growth seen in the ethanol industry.
However, Sauter emphasized the need for infrastructure to match the rising output. “Punjab is scaling up CBG production, but the gas has to go somewhere. We need access to the natural gas grid because the market infrastructure is currently lacking,” he said.
Looking ahead, Verbio hopes to expand its operations beyond Punjab and build more CBG plants across India. The company is also exploring opportunities in other segments of the bio-energy sector, particularly ethanol and biogas production from biomass.
Sauter concluded by expressing optimism that ongoing dialogue with the Indian government will lead to supportive policies that allow bio-energy initiatives like these to flourish nationwide.
