Santerra Industries

A pile of wood pellets on fire. Behind in defocus there is a wall of wood..jpg

At Santerra Industries, our bio pellet factory is a shining example of innovation and sustainability. Every day, we process an astounding 40,000 kilograms of agricultural waste, transforming it into high-calorific-value bio coal. This revolutionary initiative addresses a pressing environmental issue: stubble burning, a practice once rampant among farmers that significantly contributed to poor air quality and environmental degradation. A few years ago, the region witnessed an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 200, largely due to the widespread burning of agro residues. Recognizing the need for urgent action, we devised a solution that not only tackles this environmental crisis but also provides economic benefits to farmers. Instead of burning the stubble, farmers now sell their agro waste to us, ensuring a sustainable source of raw material while earning an additional income. Through our efforts, we have not only created a cleaner alternative to traditional coal but also brought about measurable environmental improvements. Our operations have reduced the AQI in the vicinity of our factory by 15% over the past year—a significant milestone in our journey toward cleaner air and a healthier ecosystem. The bio coal we produce serves as an eco-friendly substitute for conventional coal in industrial applications. Among our key clients are NTPC Mauda, where our bio coal is used to generate electricity, and Haldiram, alongside other prominent buyers who have embraced sustainable energy alternatives. By addressing the dual challenge of agricultural waste management and energy production, Santerra Industries is contributing to the broader global goals of waste reduction, sustainable energy, and environmental preservation. This venture not only exemplifies how business can drive positive environmental change but also showcases the immense potential of integrating sustainability into industrial practices.

We convert agro-waste into high calorific value coal that powers the electricity in Maharashta.

This is what we do

In three steps, let us explain our work.

Step 1

We purchase agro-waste such as corn cobs, rice husks, stubble (parali), cotton waste, and wheat residue directly from farmers at fair prices. In the past, farmers used to burn this waste, contributing to air pollution. Now, they can sell it to us instead. With a daily requirement exceeding 40,000 kilograms, this arrangement not only provides significant profits for farmers but also helps reduce air pollution.

Step 2

After collecting the raw materials, we process them in our custom-built hammering machine, which transforms the solid agro-waste into a fine powder. This powdered material is then transported to our main pelleting machine via a conveyor belt. Equipped with a vertical die, the pelleting machine compresses the powder into 8mm pellets with a calorific value of 3400–4400 kcal/kg. Our machine has an impressive production capacity of 2–3 tonnes per hour.

Step 3

We then load 25–40 tonnes of finished pellets into our tippers for transportation to our buyers. Our clients include NTPC and other prominent government and private factories, as well as power plants that use our pellets daily as a reliable fuel source for generating electricity.

How our pellets are better than regular 'mined' coal?

35% of our partner farmers have earned more money selling their agro-waste to us than from selling their crops. The pellets we produce are eco-friendly, leaving less than 10% ash content, emitting no carbon monoxide, and releasing no sulfur into the air. Our production process is equally sustainable, ensuring minimal environmental impact. Even the residual waste from our process is converted into pellets, ensuring zero waste. Overall, our operations result in no sulfur, no carbon monoxide, reduced ash content, and a significant financial benefit for farmers. Yes! high calorific value as well!

Know the Founders

Wife and Husband, both equally passionate about alternate fuel run Santerra Industries

Co Founder

Nikhil Chandwani

Nikhil Chandwani is an author of 14 books and an entrepreneur running a profitable one of a kind 100% sustainable bio pellet factory in Nagpur, which converts farm waste into pellets. His factory solves the climate change crisis that India is facing by converting 15,000 tonnes of agro waste yearly into 100% combustible eco coal that power plants regularly uses. He is the founder of NYK Daily, a global news platform, and a public policy expert. His remarkable contributions to writing earned him the prestigious *Times Writer of the Year* award by Times of India. Nikhil has also collaborated with UP Tourism in 2022 and 2023 to promote Deepotsav in Ayodhya officially. He is a sought-after speaker, having delivered over 200 talks across India, Singapore, and Italy, including TED talks. Nikhil also received Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Vishwa Samwad Kendra Maharshi Narad Award last year. Nikhil actively participates in TV debates, focusing on the plight of Hindus in Pakistan. With a substantial social media presence of over 2 million Instagram followers, he documents successful Hindu rescue stories. He had rescued over *1400 Hindus from Pakistan*, and that includes Hindu minor girls who were previously kidnapped across the border. He funds the passports, visas and travel for persecuted Hindus who want to legally flee from Pakistan and come to India. From rape survivors to families who have lost their homes and other members to Islamists, he has rescued and documented everything on videos. From 2015 to 2017, he ran The Walnut School of Ideas, an e-learning platform in Andhra Pradesh, which was successfully acquired.

Co Founder

Arushi Sana

Arushi Sana is an entrepreneur in the Green Energy and News industries, co-founding two companies, Santerra Industries and NYK Daily. Her firm, Santerra Industries, has solved the farm waste burning crisis in an innovative way. She procures farm waste from the farmers and converts it into bio pellets that is powering the electricity in and around Nagpur. She is also an influencer on Instagram, where she creates content on sustainability, Indian history, and travel. Arushi has had the privilege of serving as the COP28 UAE Social Media Ambassador for Change and has received numerous accolades, including the Times Power Woman of the Year, Times Digital Entrepreneur of the Year, the Integrated Health and Wellbeing Council’s Health Influencer & Communicator Award for Clean Air Advocacy, and recognition in Silicon India Magazine’s Top 10 Startups of Hyderabad. She was also the panelist at World Bank’s flagship ecofriendly event in Goa. As a sustainability consultant, Arushi works with companies to reduce their carbon footprints, facilitate the sale of eco-friendly products, and commercially promote sustainable initiatives of multinational corporations, emerging startups, and the Indian government through her Instagram platform. She also organizes waste cleanup and tree plantation drives in collaboration with NGOs. Before embarking on her entrepreneurial and climate action journey, Arushi gained experience at Ernst & Young and Deloitte for 1.5 years in Forensic Analytics and Risk Advisory. She holds a postgraduate degree in Marketing Analytics from IIM Nagpur and a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from VIT Vellore. Arushi has made significant contributions as an entrepreneur, lecturer, and social worker, impacting the Indian business ecosystem, educating youth, and creating ground-level change while continually learning from her surroundings. She is dedicated to harnessing technology, social participation, and policy-making for a greener future. Committed to India's journey toward becoming a self-reliant, climate-resilient economy, she upholds the centuries-old cultural philosophy of "Vasudev Kutumbakam," meaning "the world is one family." Her solution-oriented mindset and problem-solving abilities have enhanced her expertise in technology, management, and business. Passionate about public policy in climate, health, foreign affairs, and technology, Arushi is also invested in preserving Indic culture, architecture, agriculture, art, and textiles. She collaborates with local municipalities and global forums to facilitate sustainable development, educates youth on entrepreneurship, climate action, and technology through public speaking, articles, and videos, and empowers local communities to become vocal on a global stage.