Last Updated on 28-01-2026 by Author
As Indian cities struggle with mounting municipal waste and rising energy demand, Bengaluru is emerging as a national pioneer with a bold, integrated solution—one that converts even the most problematic waste streams into clean energy.
At the centre of this transformation is a landmark partnership between Carbon Masters India Pvt. Ltd., Saatarem Alternative Fuel and Energy Pvt. Ltd. (SAFE), and IONA Engineering Ltd. of Turkey. Together, the partners are implementing an Integrated Waste-to-Value Park at Kannahalli, Bengaluru, combining large-scale Compressed Biogas (CBG) production with India’s first single-use plastic–to–pyrolysis–to–power facility.
A Strategic Partnership for Circular Energy
Developed under a public–private partnership framework with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the Kannahalli project positions Saatarem (SAFE) as the concessionaire, Carbon Masters as the biomethane and circular organics platform leader, and IONA Engineering as the waste-to-energy technology partner.
The project is designed as an integrated ecosystem where organic waste, plastic rejects, and mixed municipal waste are channelled into the most efficient energy recovery pathways—maximising value extraction while minimising landfill dependence.
Organic Waste to Clean Fuel: MSW-to-CBG Plant
At the heart of the park is a large-scale MSW-to-CBG facility developed by Carbon Masters. Segregated organic waste is processed through anaerobic digestion to produce renewable biomethane and bio-enriched organic fertiliser. The biomethane acts as a direct substitute for fossil natural gas for industrial and mobility applications, supporting India’s clean energy and gas-blending targets.
The fertiliser output closes the nutrient loop by returning organic carbon to soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers and improving soil health.
First-of-its-Kind Plastic to Pyrolysis to Power
The defining innovation of the Kannahalli facility is the conversion of low-value, single-use plastics into power—an unprecedented application in an integrated urban setting in India.
IONA Engineering is developing and operating a dedicated waste-to-energy system that processes 25–35 tonnes per day of non-recyclable plastic waste. Using controlled pyrolysis technology, plastic waste is converted into energy-rich fuels that generate approximately 1 MW of renewable electricity.
This power is consumed entirely within the waste-to-value park, significantly reducing grid dependency and improving overall project economics. Crucially, the system avoids open burning or conventional incineration, leading to substantially lower emissions and safer waste disposal.
Global Technology, Local Impact
IONA Engineering brings global experience in waste-to-energy systems, plant optimisation, and waste preprocessing, tailored specifically to Indian waste characteristics. Combined with Carbon Masters’ expertise in biomethane production and Saatarem’s execution capabilities in urban waste infrastructure, the partnership demonstrates how global technology can be effectively localised.
A Blueprint for Indian Cities
Once fully operational, the Kannahalli Integrated Waste-to-Value Park will process hundreds of tonnes of municipal waste per day, producing renewable gas, clean power, and organic fertiliser while dramatically reducing landfill burden and methane emissions.
More importantly, it offers a scalable and bankable blueprint for Indian cities—proving that even the most challenging waste streams, such as single-use plastics, can be transformed into valuable energy resources through the right partnerships and technology.
