GPS Renewables Acquires Germany-Based Porweps Envirotech

(Outlook Start-Up) They will work jointly to establish an identity as the go-to biogas design and engineering firm for project developers globally -- GPS Renewables, a Bengaluru headquartered biofuels technology company, has acquired Germany-based Proweps Envirotech GmbH. The latter is a design and engineering company that specialises in technologies to utilise municipal and industrial organic waste and agri-residue for biogas production.

Biogas is one of the most important sources of energy from a climate perspective, as it can be further upgraded to produce RNG (also known as bioCNG or CBG), which is a cleaner alternative to compressed natural gas (CNG) or clean electricity. Proweps has extensive international experience in the construction business of waste treatment, anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading plants.

GPS Renewables has set up over 100 biogas plants, including an RNG plant based on Municipal Solid Waste in Indore, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated. With a strong focus on research and development, it has reportedly secured patents in the field.

Founded by Dieter Korz and Michael Donderer, the leadership team of Proweps has over 25 years of experience in areas related to the international and environmental process engineering plant construction business. The company has successfully executed over 150 large-scale turnkey projects worldwide, specialising in waste recycling, anaerobic digestion, and biomethane production.

Proweps’ flagship projects include the largest organic waste-to-biogas power project in the UK, located at Poplars landfill site, and the largest organic waste-based RNG plant in Scandinavia, located at Västeras, Sweden. The first phase of Västeras RNG plant began in 2007, and the CSTR digester has been continuously operational for 15 years without any interruptions.

Proweps has been a technological and engineering partner for GPS Renewables' biogas projects in India. As a part of the deal, the Proweps leadership will continue to work with the GPS Renewables team to establish Proweps as the go-to biogas design and engineering firm for project developers across the world.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mainak Chakraborty, CEO and co-founder GPS Renewables, said, “This acquisition not only reinforces our mission of fostering a cleaner and more sustainable world but also aligns strategically with our objectives. Having closely collaborated with the Proweps team, we are confident that this integration will prove to be an ideal fit for GPS Renewables. We look forward to working with the team to make an even larger impact in this field.”

Dieter Korz, managing partner of Proweps, said, “Over the last several years, we have created a significant impact in the field of international waste management and renewable energy. This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity for us to take our vision to the next level and further amplify our positive impact. We are very glad to strengthen and continue our success- and trustful cooperation in the future with the GPS team.”

Bengaluru-based GPS Renewables is a full-stack biofuels firm offering technology and project solutions for climate-positive biofuel projects. It is backed by Neev Fund, Triodos and Capsian Impact Investments.

The company focuses on biofuel technologies to solve the organic waste management challenge, accelerate the substitution of fossil fuels with biofuels and play a key role in mitigating climate change. Starting from captive biogas plants, it has scaled up to set up some of the world’s largest RNG plants.

In 2022, GPS Renewables launched GPSR Arya, a wholly-owned subsidiary, to commission BOO (Build-Own-Operate) projects to augment its climate impact ambitions. READ MORE