Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates India’s First Integrated CCUS Facility at IIT Bombay
IIT Bombay Launches Indigenous Carbon Capture and Storage Facility Under Bharat Innovates 2026
Mumbai :
India achieved a major milestone in climate-tech innovation as Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the country’s first Integrated Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Field Laboratory Facility at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay under Bharat Innovates 2026.
The event was attended by Vineet Joshi, IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Deputy Directors Prof. Milind Atrey and Prof. Ravindra Gudi, along with faculty members, researchers, students, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and government representatives.
The inauguration marked the commissioning of an indigenously developed Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) pilot facility with a processing capacity of up to three tonnes per day. The initiative also witnessed the commencement of Geological CO₂ Sequestration (GCS) scientific drilling in the Deccan Trap basalt formations to establish robust carbon storage monitoring protocols.
India’s First End-to-End CCUS Facility
The pioneering project establishes India’s first integrated end-to-end CCUS field laboratory that combines carbon capture technology, carbon utilisation, and permanent geological sequestration into a single translational research platform.
Developed at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay with support from the Government of India, industry collaborators, and the institute’s innovation ecosystem, the project aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and supports India’s Panchamrit climate commitments and Net-Zero targets.
At the core of the facility is an advanced aqueous-based catalytic CO₂ capture technology developed entirely at IIT Bombay. The patented system uses earth-abundant catalytic materials to capture carbon dioxide from ambient air as well as industrial flue gases.
A key innovation of the technology is its compatibility with non-potable water sources, including industrial wastewater and seawater, significantly reducing the water-energy burden associated with traditional carbon capture systems.
Waste-to-Wealth Carbon Utilisation Model
Following carbon capture, the system converts CO₂ into high-purity carbonate and bicarbonate salts through catalytic reactions. These value-added products can be utilised in industries such as steel, cement, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals, creating a sustainable waste-to-wealth pathway.
The project also includes India’s first pilot-scale scientific drilling initiative for Geological CO₂ Sequestration in the Deccan Traps. Researchers will study supercritical and aqueous-phase CO₂ injection techniques to evaluate injectivity, fracture permeability, reactive surface area, and long-term mineral trapping capabilities.
Scientists believe the initiative will strengthen understanding of in-situ mineral carbonation processes in basalt formations, where dissolved carbon dioxide transforms into stable carbonate minerals like calcite and magnesite, ensuring secure and permanent underground storage.
IIT Bombay Start-up Scaling the Technology
The technology is being scaled commercially by UrjanovaC, a deep-tech venture incubated at Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), founded by Prof. Vikram Vishal and Prof. Arnab Dutta. The start-up is among the leading innovations showcased during Bharat Innovates 2026.
Speaking at the event, Dharmendra Pradhan said the initiative reflects the spirit of the National Education Policy 2020 by bringing together academia, industry, policymakers, and society to address global climate challenges through innovation.
Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi stated that the project demonstrates how academia, policy, and industry can collaborate to build sustainable solutions and accelerate India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare described the facility as a defining milestone for India’s climate technology ecosystem and a strong example of indigenous research delivering scalable and science-driven solutions for global sustainability challenges.
The integrated CCUS facility is expected to serve as a national testbed for next-generation carbon management technologies and further strengthen India’s position as an emerging global leader in climate-tech innovation.
