Deep-tech · Circular materials

Turning waste into sustainable value.

ORCA DI is a deep-tech startup in Rupnagar (Ropar), Punjab, transforming solid digestate from biogas plants and rice straw into high-value, bio-based materials — for packaging, engineered composites, and industrial applications.

Rupnagar (Ropar), Punjab, India
About us

Waste is not a burden — it's an untapped resource.

We specialise in the valorisation of solid digestate from biogas plants and rice straw, converting underutilised resources into innovative bio-based materials for industrial and commercial applications.

Driven by science and innovation, we develop sustainable solutions that support the circular economy, reduce environmental pollution, and promote responsible resource utilisation. Our technologies help convert waste into valuable products for packaging, engineered bio-composites, renewable energy, and other advanced bio-based applications.

Through continuous research, collaboration, and sustainable innovation, we are building technologies that contribute to a cleaner, greener, and more resource-efficient future — creating economic, environmental, and social value along the way.

Feedstock Solid digestate & rice straw Agricultural and bioenergy waste, valorised at source.
Approach Circular economy by design Closing the loop between waste and high-value materials.
Impact Economic · Environmental · Social Cleaner processes, lower pollution, new local value.
Where we're headed

Our Vision

To become a global leader in transforming waste into sustainable, high-value materials for a circular economy.

Our Mission

To develop innovative technologies that convert agricultural and biogas waste into sustainable products while creating environmental, economic, and social impact.

Our leadership

Research, enterprise, and finance under one mission.

A team bridging cutting-edge materials science with commercially viable, circular solutions.

Portrait of Dr. Maaz Hasan Khan
Dr. Maaz Hasan Khan Founder & Director
A researcher and innovator in sustainable materials and circular-economy technologies. He completed his postdoctoral research at IIT Ropar, developing technologies to valorise solid digestate and rice straw into high-value bio-based products. Committed to bridging cutting-edge research with commercially viable solutions for a low-carbon future. Royal Academy of Engineering — LIF Global 2025
Portrait of Haroon Khan
Haroon Khan Co-Founder & CFO
Brings more than 15 years of experience in fundraising, financial planning, and strategy, and serves as Senior Finance Advisor at Jazaa Business Services. He has helped startups across fintech, cybersecurity, and edtech raise capital and scale — including supporting Mersaad Carbon Technologies in raising $1.1M. He leads ORCA DI's financial strategy, capital structure, and fundraising. MBA, Finance · CFA Level I
Dr. Nusrat J. M. Sanghamitra Director
Scientist, entrepreneur, and Founder & CEO of CyGenica Ltd. With a PhD in Chemistry from IISc Bengaluru, she has built an internationally recognised career at the interface of chemistry, biomaterials, and biotechnology, bringing strategic and innovation leadership to ORCA DI. National Award, President of India · RAEng LIF 2021
Prof. Harpreet Singh Director
Professor of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Ropar and an internationally recognised expert in sustainable manufacturing, surface engineering, and waste utilisation. Author of 200+ publications and multiple patents, with projects funded by DST, CSIR, DRDO, UKRI, and EPSRC. Co-PI of the UKRI-funded TIGR2ESS programme. 200+ publications · Multiple patents
Our products

Bio-based materials, engineered from waste.

A portfolio combining scientific innovation with circular-economy principles — environmentally responsible alternatives for industrial applications.

01

Engineered MDF Boards

Sustainable Medium-Density Fibreboards

Manufactured using processed solid-digestate fibres combined with high-performance synthetic resin systems, designed for non-structural interior applications where sustainability and resource efficiency are valued alongside functional performance. Available in multiple thicknesses to suit different applications.

Applications
Furniture components Interior partitions Decorative panels Packaging & industrial boards Non-structural building
02

Organic Food-Grade Packaging

Moulded from lignin-rich biomaterial

Produced by segregating lignin-rich material (LRM) from biogas-plant waste and hot-pressing it into customised shapes — without conventional plastics. The result is biodegradable, bio-based, and designed as a sustainable alternative to single-use packaging, suitable for trays, containers, and protective packaging.

Applications
Food trays Disposable plates & bowls Protective packaging Consumer packaging
03

Industrial Lignin

High-purity bio-based lignin · up to 95%

High-purity (up to 95%) industrial-grade lignin extracted from lignin-rich biomass through proprietary chemical processing. This renewable aromatic biopolymer is a sustainable raw material across resins, adhesives, composites, and specialty chemicals — a renewable alternative to petroleum-derived ingredients.

Applications
Resin & adhesive formulations Bio-composites Polymer modification Carbon materials Industrial chemicals Research & specialty
Innovation pipeline

Innovation is an ongoing process.

We continue to develop new technologies and products that maximise value from agricultural and bioenergy waste — advancing sustainable manufacturing and supporting the global transition toward a circular, low-carbon economy.

Contact us

We'd love to hear from you.

Sustainable products, research collaborations, technology licensing, investment, or partnerships — tell us what you're interested in and our team will respond.

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