In June 2025, Indore became the focal point of India’s industrial sustainability movement. Steamax Envirocare Pvt. Ltd., in partnership with the Industrial Energy Assessment Cell (IEAC) of IIT Indore, organized a pivotal seminar titled “Decarbonizing Industry with Biomass and Energy Optimization: Practical Conversions.” The event was co-hosted with respected bodies such as the Association of Industries, Indore (AIMP), Institution of Engineers India (IEI), Ayush Nirmata Sangh, Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA), and MP Drug Small Scale Association (MPSDMA).

As India sharpens its focus on net-zero targets and cleaner industrial energy practices, the seminar served as a much-needed platform to exchange practical ideas, share proven solutions, and inspire meaningful industrial action.

Why Decarbonizing Industry Is Non-Negotiable

Industries across India face an increasingly urgent mandate—reduce carbon emissions, lower fuel costs, and comply with global environmental benchmarks. The rising cost of fossil fuels, coupled with sustainability commitments, has made the shift to cleaner heating solutions a business imperative.

This seminar tackled these challenges head-on, offering a blueprint for decarbonizing  through biomass adoption and energy efficiency.

Dignitaries and Voices Driving Change

The event opened with a ceremonial lamp-lighting, symbolizing a new era in industrial energy transformation. The audience included manufacturers, energy consultants, policymakers, and clean-tech providers, all focused on building a resilient and sustainable industrial ecosystem.

Keynote Speakers Included:

• Mr. Gaurav Goyal, Assistant Director, MSME DFO IndoreHighlighted government schemes supporting green adoption among MSMEs and the importance of industrial sustainability for economic resilience.
• Mr. R.P. Gautam, Ex-Chairman, Institution of Engineers India (IEI)Emphasized the potential of indigenous biomass boiler technology in driving India’s clean energy independence.
• Mr. Rajesh Sethia, President, Ayush Nirmata SanghConnected the principles of clean energy with the ethos of the Ayush sector, underscoring its role in natural and sustainable development.
• Mr. Ajay Singh Dassundi, Vice Chairman (IDMA MP Chapter), General Secretary (MPSDMA)Advocated for biomass in the pharmaceutical sector as a means to enhance efficiency while meeting global sustainability standards.
• Mr. Rakesh Mahajan, Managing Director, Steamax Envirocare Pvt. Ltd.Delivered a visionary message, calling on Indian industry to embrace innovation as a pathway to sustainability. He positioned Steamax as a technology partner ready to lead practical conversions.

Technical Highlights: Practical Pathways to Decarbonization

• Industrial Decarbonization with Biomass

Presented by Mr. Aditya Mahajan, Chief of Production & Business Growth, Steamax Envirocare

This session outlined how Indian industries can successfully shift from fossil fuels to biomass-based heating systems using a structured, technology-driven approach.

Key Highlights:

• Technology Roadmap:Introduction to Steamax’s proprietary retrofitting kits:
  • OBR Maxx and OBR Lite for converting existing boilers
  • Auto Fuel Feeding Kits to improve combustion efficiency and automate biomass fuel feeding which results in saving 80% of the labour cost.
• Case Study:Unichem Laboratories (Pithampur) converted a 5 TPH Thermax PNG boiler to biomass, achieving a 36% reduction in steam costs.
• Commercial Flexibility:Discussion on CAPEX vs OPEX (BOOT) models, allowing industries of all sizes to adopt biomass with minimal financial burden.
• Vision for Central India:Proposed establishment of a Torrefaction Plant to supply high-energy-density biomass fuel locally, ensuring reliable and clean fuel access for industries across Madhya Pradesh and beyond.

Energy Optimization in Industry

Presented by Mr. Aneesh Rajendran, AEA, IEAC, IIT Indore

Complementing the biomass solutions, this session addressed how energy efficiency and optimization can further reduce emissions and operational costs in industries.

Key Takeaways:

• The Role of IEAC:Bridging research and real-world application, IEAC supports industries through structured energy assessments.
• Government Backing:Coverage of schemes like MSME KISEM-CSR and Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s Adeetie Programme, which provide funding and technical support for energy-saving projects.
• Proven Impact:Case studies showing significant reductions in energy consumption, enhanced plant performance, and compliance with energy audit norms.

The message was clear: biomass and energy optimization must go hand-in-hand for effective industrial decarbonization.

Interactive Discussions and Recognitions

The seminar closed with an open-house Q&A where stakeholders from diverse sectors raised questions, shared challenges, and explored collaborative opportunities.

Dignitaries and supporting institutions were recognized for their commitment to sustainability and innovation. The session facilitated networking, consultations, and several expressions of interest for pilot conversions and assessments.

Conclusion: A Unified Step Toward Industrial Decarbonization

The Indore seminar was more than just an event—it was a strategic call to action. As highlighted by all speakers and participants, decarbonizing is not just a policy trend—it is a business necessity for Indian industry.

Steamax Envirocare, in partnership with IIT Indore’s IEAC, is committed to helping industries make this transition practically and profitably. Through a mix of biomass fuel solutions, retrofit technologies, and energy optimization services, the goal is clear: enable cleaner, more cost-efficient, and future-ready operations.

Industries that act now will not only reduce their carbon footprint but also gain a competitive edge in a sustainability-driven global market.

To learn more about biomass retrofits, energy optimization solutions, visit: www.steamaxindia.com