Organic Recycling Systems Partners with IIT Roorkee to Advance Biomass and Biochar Research
Organic Recycling Systems Ltd. (ORSL), a leading company in the cleantech and waste management sector, has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IITR). This collaboration aims to jointly advance research and innovation in biomass valorisation, biochar development, and sustainable waste-to-energy technologies.
Overview of the Partnership
The partnership between ORSL and IITR brings together the industrial expertise of Organic Recycling Systems and the research excellence of IITR’s Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy (HRED). The focus of this collaboration is to foster innovation in renewable energy, promote a circular economy, and develop carbon-neutral technologies.
Key Focus Areas
Under the agreement, ORSL and IITR will collaborate across several key areas:
- Biomass Research Applications: This includes the characterisation and pretreatment of biomass, development of biofuels, and biochemical conversion processes.
- Assessment of Agricultural Residues: The partnership will evaluate agricultural residues for various industrial applications.
- Biochar and Activated Carbon Development: Focus will be on the production, characterisation, and utilisation of biochar for soil amendment, carbon sequestration, water purification, and heavy metal adsorption.
- Torrefaction of Biomass and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): The collaboration will explore process optimisation and the integration of torrefaction with pyrolysis and gasification technologies to enhance energy recovery.
- Knowledge Exchange and Human Resource Development: This will include training programs, internships, joint research projects, and the creation of an academia-industry ecosystem that fosters technology innovation and skill development.
Statements from Key Figures
Commenting on the development, Sarang Bhand, Managing Director of Organic Recycling Systems, stated, “This partnership with IIT Roorkee marks an important milestone in ORSL’s R&D journey. Together with IITR, we aim to accelerate technology development in biomass and MSW valorisation with a focus on biochar and torrefaction processes. This collaboration will strengthen India’s roadmap towards achieving its clean energy and carbon neutrality goals.”
Prof. Vivek Kumar Malik, Dean of Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy at IIT Roorkee, added, “Our partnership with ORSL reflects IITR’s commitment to translating cutting-edge research into impactful industrial applications. This collaboration will contribute to the development of innovative, scalable solutions in biomass processing and environmental management.”
Dr. Sonal K Thengane, Associate Professor in IIT Roorkee’s Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, saying, “We are happy to collaborate with ORSL on the torrefaction of MSW and biomass, and together, we aim to replicate this model nationally.”
Significance of the Collaboration
This partnership is significant for several reasons:
- Advancement of Renewable Energy: The collaboration aims to enhance the development of renewable energy technologies, contributing to a sustainable future.
- Promotion of Circular Economy: By focusing on biomass valorisation and waste-to-energy technologies, the partnership supports the principles of a circular economy.
- Research and Development: The joint efforts will lead to innovative solutions in biomass processing and environmental management, addressing pressing global challenges.
- Skill Development: Through training and internships, the partnership will help develop a skilled workforce in the renewable energy sector.
Future Prospects
The collaboration between Organic Recycling Systems and IIT Roorkee is expected to pave the way for groundbreaking research and development in the field of biomass and biochar. As both entities work together, they aim to establish a model that can be replicated across India, thereby contributing to the nation’s clean energy initiatives and carbon neutrality goals.
Note: This article is based on information available as of October 2023 and aims to provide insights into the partnership between Organic Recycling Systems and IIT Roorkee.
