Organic Recycling Systems Launches Downdraft Gasification Pilot for Agricultural Shell Waste

Organic Recycling Systems Launches Downdraft Gasification Pilot for Agricultural Shell Waste​

Navi Mumbai, June 4, 2026 – Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORSL) has expanded its waste-to-value platform by commencing a pilot study focusing on hard biomass agricultural residues using downdraft gasification. The initiative addresses the challenge of utilizing biomass categories such as coconut shells, cashew nut shells, and groundnut shells, which have often been overlooked in the bioenergy sector.

The project is underway at ORSL's NABL-accredited ORS Research and Innovation Centre (ORS-RIC) located in Mahape, Navi Mumbai. The center has initiated a pilot study utilizing a 10 kg/h Downdraft Gasification System. This thermochemical technology converts hard biomass feedstocks into clean syngas and highgrade biochar through controlled partial oxidation.

The downdraft configuration was selected for its low tar formation, which is noted as a key advantage compared to alternative biomass conversion methods. Furthermore, the system features an autothermal design, meaning it sustains its own process heat once ignited and does not require external fuel during operation.

ORS-RIC is conducting trials across four specific hard biomass feedstocks: tender coconut shells, brown coconut shells, cashew nut shells, and groundnut shells. The study is currently in the parameter optimisation phase, aiming to map and optimise key processes to maximize charcoal mass yield while ensuring a high fixed-carbon content. As of now, no yield or quality results have been reported from the pilot.

Key project details are as follows:


Yashas Bhand, Whole Time Director at Organic Recycling Systems Limited, noted that hard biomass waste represents a significant and unaddressed agricultural residue in India. He stated that downdraft gasification provides a pathway to convert these materials into clean syngas and high-grade biochar. If the study proves successful, ORSL intends to commercialize the technology.

Dr. Manju Tanwar, Head of Research & Development at ORS-RIC, added that hard biomass feedstocks present unique thermochemical challenges due to their density, structure, and composition. The pilot study is systematically evaluating operational parameters including equivalence ratio, residence time, and extraction volume to develop a robust process framework and generate reliable data for future scale-up and commercial deployment.

If the technology achieves success and is commercialized, ORSL projects that it holds the potential to reduce fuel and electricity costs and provide a marketable solution for stakeholders dealing with hard biomass waste. This pilot contributes to ORS-RIC's research portfolio, which currently includes over seven innovations across areas such as biochar, advanced catalysts, carbon membranes, CO₂ utilisation, and microalgae-based treatment systems.

About Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORSL)​

Established in 2008 by technocrats, Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORSL) is an environmental engineering company specializing in sustainable waste management and valorisation solutions. ORSL develops robust, cost-effective, and eco-friendly technologies across the entire waste value chain. The company operates India’s first municipal solid waste (MSW) processing plant based on a patented anaerobic biomethanation process, located in Solapur, Maharashtra. ORSL's research efforts are supported by collaborations with institutions including IIT Bombay (IITB), AGH University Poland, and the University of Birmingham (UOB).

Stock Price Movement​

Organic Recycling Systems Ltd settled at ₹235.55 on Wednesday, edging higher by 0.45%. The shares traded throughout the session within a defined intraday range between ₹234.25 and ₹236.00.