Ossus Biorenewables Advances Green Hydrogen with Breakthrough Waste-to-Energy Technology
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Green hydrogen is widely seen as the fuel of the future, but cost and scalability remain major barriers. Ossus Biorenewables, a Bengaluru-based startup, is tackling this challenge with a unique approach: producing hydrogen directly from industrial wastewater. Backed by $2.4 million in pre-Series A funding from Gruhas and Rainmatter Climate, the company is positioning itself at the frontlines of India’s clean energy transition.
Turning Industrial Waste into Clean Fuel
Founded in 2017, Ossus developed OB HydraCel, a bioreactor that uses microorganisms found in industrial effluents to generate hydrogen. The system not only treats wastewater but also delivers clean hydrogen on-site, cutting out costly transportation and storage. Artificial intelligence supports the process, ensuring efficient extraction and scalability.
This dual benefit, waste treatment and fuel production, makes the technology particularly relevant for industries like refining, chemicals, food processing, brewing, and pharmaceuticals.
By the end of this year, Ossus aims to scale production to 3–5 tons of green hydrogen per day.
Why This Matters for Sustainability
Hydrogen has been promoted as a clean fuel, but conventional production methods often rely on fossil fuels. Green hydrogen, by contrast, is produced without emitting carbon dioxide. Ossus’ model goes a step further by using waste carbon as a resource.
For businesses, this offers three sustainability wins:
- Lower emissions by replacing fossil-based hydrogen.
- Reduced wastewater pollution.
- On-site energy independence, aligning with ESG and net-zero commitments.
Globally, industries are under pressure to cut Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions. Waste-to-hydrogen innovations can help bridge this gap by embedding sustainability directly into production cycles.
Scaling Up and Going Global
The recent funding will allow Ossus to expand HydraCel bioreactor manufacturing, invest in advanced bio-capabilities, and expand operations across South Asia, Europe, and the US. The company has already deployed its technology at one of India’s largest steel plants in Jharkhand, demonstrating its commercial viability.
Notably, Ossus claims it can deliver hydrogen at less than $1 per kilogram, a game-changing cost advantage when compared with international averages of $4–6 per kilogram. If these numbers hold at scale, the model could disrupt not just Indian energy markets but global ones too.
India’s Green Hydrogen Push
India has announced a National Green Hydrogen Mission with a budget of Rs 19,700 crore, aiming to produce 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen annually by 2025. This ambition is linked to its G20 presidency and broader climate commitments.
Startups like Ossus are critical to this vision. By building indigenous technologies instead of relying on imported electrolyzers, they help strengthen India’s energy independence while reducing emissions. For entrepreneurs and investors, this creates a fertile ecosystem for sustainable innovation.
Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
The advantages of Ossus’ model are clear – lower costs, cleaner effluents, and scalable green hydrogen production. However, challenges remain. Industrial adoption may be slow due to upfront investment requirements, and global hydrogen markets are still developing consistent regulatory frameworks.
Additionally, producing at scale while maintaining cost competitiveness will be key to long-term success.
Yet, the momentum is undeniable. As governments and corporations move toward net-zero, waste-to-energy startups like Ossus could play a vital role in reshaping how industries view waste, not as a burden but as a resource for sustainable growth.
