A pioneering startup, Vivifica Sustainable Solutions Pvt Ltd, is revolutionising urban waste management by converting organic waste into clean energy and fertiliser through its patented Wenerator biogas system. Founded by young Kerala engineers who opted to build impactful solutions at home over lucrative overseas opportunities, this initiative addresses India’s critical challenge of sustainable waste disposal, promising cleaner cities and a greener future.
Managing organic waste sustainably and hygienically remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges in urban and semi-urban areas globally. Vivifica’s approach centres on solving this problem directly at the source, aligning with the “reduce, reuse, recycle” philosophy crucial for a circular economy. The impetus for this innovation came from a stark realisation: India generates nearly 30 million tonnes of organic waste daily, coupled with the mandate from the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, requiring bulk waste generators to manage their refuse on-site. This confluence of environmental necessity and regulatory push ignited the startup’s mission.
Vivifica was founded in 2018 by four engineers – Rinu Thomas, Dileep Mathews Paul, Adarsh Johny, and Nithin Thomas – all of whom chose to forgo lucrative international opportunities after their master’s degrees. Their journey began in 2016 with an initial investment of ₹60 lakh, dedicating two years to rigorous experimentation with various anaerobic digestion systems. Despite facing numerous setbacks, including a fire that destroyed their early setup, their perseverance led to the development of a working prototype and the formal establishment of Vivifica. This dedication to indigenous innovation exemplifies a commitment to national development and environmental stewardship.
Their flagship innovation, Wenerator, is a sophisticated biogas system that ingeniously mimics the animal digestive process. It incorporates a pretreatment mechanism that crushes food waste into fine particles, aided by chemical additives to maintain optimal pH and boost efficiency. At its core lies a multi-stage selective recirculation system, meticulously designed to provide quick-digesting waste (like carbohydrates) a 10-day breakdown period, while more fibrous waste (like leafy greens) can undergo digestion for up to 50 days. Undigested materials are continuously recirculated to ensure complete breakdown, maximising resource recovery.
The system’s multi-chamber anaerobic digestion setup is integrated with advanced IoT sensors, enabling real-time monitoring and remote diagnostics. This technological sophistication ensures high operational efficiency and reliability. The Wenerator produces biogas with over 90% methane purity, a clean energy source that can replace fossil fuels, and generates an odourless, nutrient-rich fertiliser. This closed-loop, eco-friendly solution not only reduces methane emissions from landfills but also provides a sustainable alternative for agricultural enrichment, contributing directly to zero net carbon and eco-friendly urban ecosystems.
Vivifica’s impactful work has garnered significant support and recognition. Their breakthrough came with selection for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Green Innovation Fund, in partnership with Kerala Startup Mission, which provided ₹5 lakh for a demo plant. Further grants and support followed from prestigious institutions like IIT Kanpur’s CITI Social Innovation Lab and the MeitY Startup Acceleration Program. In 2024, they established their first pilot plant at SP Medford Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, demonstrating commercial viability. The startup has been widely recognised, including being selected by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to represent India at the 12th 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Jaipur, and induction into the Indian Biogas Association.
Looking ahead, Vivifica aims to make Wenerator a globally recognised solution, with a vision to make source-level biogas systems as common and accessible as rooftop solar panels. With growing interest from municipalities, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partners, and the global circular economy movement, Vivifica is actively scaling its operations across schools, hospitals, canteens, hostels, and farms. Their mission is clear: to embed decentralised biogas systems as a core component of India’s urban waste management infrastructure, contributing to a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive future for all citizens, fostering gender-neutral and equitable access to environmental benefits.
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