Punjab Project

Each unit processes ~90,000 tonnes of paddy straw which produces ~75,000 tonnes of energy rich, highly sanitized biomass pellets; pellets produced are totally sanitized and odour free with moisture content less than 10%: 2 such units currently operating. First of its type in India; helping in meeting Government of India’s guidelines of blending biomass pellets with coal for thermal power production. Importantly, each unit saves ~ 45,000 acres of farmland from burning of agricultural residues (i.e. paddy straw).

WRM sources its feedstock primarily from locally available agricultural residues. The major raw material is paddy straw, which is often burned in open fields post-harvest, contributing significantly to seasonal air pollution. In addition to paddy straw, the plant also utilizes cotton and mustard stalks, sugar cane trashes and rice husk. By collecting and repurposing these materials, WRM is addressing both environmental and agricultural waste management challenges in the region. The WRM plant is strategically located in the heart of an agrarian region of District Mansa in the state of Punjab that produces a significantly large volume of agricultural residues annually.

The primary raw material used at the plant is paddy straw, which is typically discarded and burned by farmers due to a lack of effective disposal solutions or economic value. This practice not only contributes to environmental degradation but also severely impacts air quality across Northern India, particularly during the winter months. By offering an economically viable alternative, WRM is helping in shifting this paradigm. Along with paddy straw, the plant also processes other surplus agricultural residues such as cotton and mustard stalks, sugar cane trashes and rice husk — all of which were traditionally underutilized.

The WRM plant produces clean, green, high-quality, and odourless solid biofuel in the form of biomass pellets and briquettes. These products are highly sanitized, mechanically stable, and uniformly sized, ensuring optimal performance in thermal energy applications. The biomass fuel produced not only meets but exceeds the specifications laid out in the Government of India’s biomass co-firing guidelines for thermal power plants. These fuels are designed to reduce the dependency on coal and help industries transition to cleaner energy sources without making any major modifications in the plant and machinery.

Additionally, because these pellets are made from completely renewable agricultural waste, they have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to conventional fossil fuels. The product is well-suited for use by thermal power plants, industrial units, and large-scale commercial heating systems. With increasing demand for cleaner alternatives in energy generation and industrial heating, WRM’s solid biofuels are poised to play a critical role in India's renewable energy ecosystem.

WRM's is Punjab project has been successfully listed under VCS (Verra – Verified Carbon Standard) carbon credits program and is currently under verification stage.  This program administered by Verra provides a framework for certifying Green House Gases (GHG) emission reduction and removal projects. VCS is a widely recognized standard that ensures carbon credits represent real, quantifiable reductions and removal of GHG emission.

Initial studies have estimated that about 75,000 credits are due for one year of operation of 1unit for replacing polluting fuel like coal with clean fuel, i.e., biomass pellets.