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ProClime, a full-stack climate company developing carbon projects across South Asia, today announced the commissioning of its 1.5-tonnes-per-day (TPD) Biochar Research & Training Facility at the College of Horticulture & Forestry, NERI Campus, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. Producing approximately 0.45 tonnes of biochar per day, the plant will serve as both a working production unit, training facility for future plants under the ProClime Biochar Platform and a research and demonstration site.
The facility was commissioned to address the state's chronic pine needle and forest biomass surplus, which has long posed a forest-fire hazard, by converting this waste into a stable, high-value soil amendment. It was developed in partnership with the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, which assures and facilitates feedstock supply and supports the state's broader biomass-management programme launched in August 2025; Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, which anchors the research component; and IIT Roorkee, which led the plant's technical design.
Feedstock - primarily pine needles and other forest residue - is collected, dried, and fed into a continuous pyrolysis unit, where it is heated in a low-oxygen environment. This thermochemical process, known as pyrolysis, breaks down the biomass while locking its carbon into a stable solid form rather than releasing it as CO2 through open burning or decomposition. The resulting biochar can be used to improve soil health, retain moisture, and sequester carbon for centuries. The technology was developed indigenously in India with ongoing technical support from IIT Roorkee and is suitable for varied types of feedstock. (forest residue, invasives and agri-residue). The technology is capable of producing biochar, bio oil and wood vinegar: increasing the economic sustenance of such projects
The inauguration was graced by Dr. Sushil Kumar Singla, Secretary, Environment, Science & Technology & Climate Change, Government of Himachal Pradesh, and Shri Suresh Kumar, MLA, Bhoranj, along with delegates from Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry and IIT Roorkee.
“My warm congratulations to everyone behind Himachal’s first Biochar Research & Training Facility at Hamirpur. This is only the first step. What they have proven here is a model that will now scale across the state, from 1.5 TPD toward 30 TPD, creating green jobs, healthier soils, and a cleaner, fire-resilient Himachal,” Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh.
“I congratulate the team for turning our forest-fire hazard into a climate solution that stands commissioned today. Supported by the Forest Department, ProClime, Dr Y.S. Parmar University, and IIT Roorkee, this facility converts pine-needle waste into biochar that stores carbon for centuries and enriches our soils. It embodies Himachal Pradesh’s climate vision and our firm commitment to a greener, more resilient state,” Dr. Sushil Kumar Singla, Secretary, Environment, Science & Technology and Climate Change, Government of Himachal Pradesh.
"For years, pine needles have been seen only as a fire hazard. This facility flips that story, turning waste that fuels forest fires into biochar that rebuilds soil and stores carbon,” Vijayakumar Rangaraju, Chief Mission Officer, ProClime.
Benefits of the Project
As part of its national expansion, ProClime is investing in seven biochar plants across India, to be commissioned in phases. The Hamirpur facility functions as the Research & Development Centre for this rollout, responsible for training and developing the personnel who will operate and manage these upcoming plants. The first Large scale manufacturing facility In HP is scheduled to start operations by December, 2026. This plant will process 9,000 Tonnes biomass per year and produce 3,000 Tonnes of biochar. All relevant MOAs have been signed with fertiliser partners for down-stream field and biochar applications.
ProClime is a full-stack climate company developing and managing carbon projects across India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, spanning carbon trade, climate investments and advisory services focused on measurable climate, community and biodiversity outcomes.
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