Maruti Suzuki India begins biogas production at Manesar unit

Maruti Suzuki India, Suzuki Motor Corporation's Indian subsidiary, has started production at a biogas unit at its Manesar plant in the state of Haryana, the company announced on July 1. The plant was installed early last month.

This facility is a functioning pilot plant, generating biogas from Napier grass cultivated on the premises of the Manesar factory, and food waste from the plant canteen. The purified gas will be used for cooking at the canteen and in the production process. The residue will be used as organic fertiliser for internal horticulture.

The plant is expected to produce 0.2 tonnes/day of biogas, resulting in a reduction of about 190 tonnes/year of CO2, the company stated. Maruti Suzuki said it will invest a total of 4.5bn rupees ($54mn) in renewable energy-related initiatives over three years from FY2024.

Indian government in November last year announced the mandatory phased blending of compressed biogas (CBG) in compressed natural gas (CNG) and domestic piped natural gas (PNG) segments starting the fiscal year 2025-26. Experts suggest that this move will not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also result in a reduction of costly imported LNG, thereby helping India save precious foreign exchange.