Suzuki signs MoU to establish biogas plant in India's Gujarat

Suzuki R&D Center India Private, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan's Suzuki Motor Corporation, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Banas Dairy to set up a biogas plant in the western Indian state of Gujarat, Suzuki announced on July 26.

This will be the fifth biogas plant built by the three parties, who are already working towards establishing four biogas production plants in Banaskantha district, Gujarat. Suzuki did not provide any details about the capacity of the plant. 

The MoU conclusion ceremony was held at the Banas Dairy Sanadar plant in Banaskantha district, in the presence of Banas Dairy’s chairman Shankar Chaudhary, NDDB’s executive director S Rajeev, and Suzuki’s president Toshihiro Suzuki. Approximately 2,500 dairy farmers from nearby farms also attended the ceremony.

Suzuki said its rural mobility service aims to provide opportunities for clean and affordable transportation to citizens in rural areas by utilising biogas fuel for Maruti Suzuki’s CNG vehicles. The service will initially start within the Banaskantha district. Maruti Suzuki is the Indian unit of Suzuki.

“By cooperating with Banas Dairy and NDDB, we will start two new businesses: biogas production plant and rural mobility service. Each member of the three parties will contribute ideas to create a new model of lifestyle and contribute to the development of Banaskantha district,” Suzuki said.

Earlier this month, Maruti Suzuki started production at a biogas unit at its Manesar plant in the state of Haryana. 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.