Caliche: A Startup Harnessing Microbes to Capture Industrial Carbon Emissions
Learn how Shillong-based startup Caliche is challenging carbon-intensive industries with a scalable, low-energy solution.
Key Takeaways
- Caliche, founded in 2018, offers microbial carbon capture technology for hard-to-abate sectors.
- Their proprietary solution, CarbonOne, uses microorganisms to convert CO2 into valuable byproducts.
- The startup is poised to tap into India's growing CCUS market, projected to reach USD 195.36 million by 2033.
- Caliche operates on a CAPEX-OPEX model, emphasising partnership-driven deployment with industrial clients.
In 2018, deep in the northeastern hills of Shillong, Meghalaya, two petroleum engineering graduates, Amit Priyadarshan and Anandh Mathew, launched a venture they believed could redefine carbon management in India's industrial sectors. Caliche emerged from a unique blend of academic curiosity, opportunistic thinking, and a deep conviction that they had a solution the world couldn't afford to ignore.
The idea took root during an internship when the co-founders encountered a nationwide innovation challenge issued by one of India’s largest oil companies. Instead of waiting for the outcome, they plunged headfirst into prototyping and stakeholder outreach. A chance meeting with public sector executives offered unexpected validation—and funding potential—pushing them to formalise their startup.
"We realised that if we didn’t do it, someone else eventually would," said Amit. "The regret of not acting was too great to ignore."
Caliche: A Name Forged in Challenge
The name "Caliche" refers to a tough, calcium carbonate-rich soil layer found in arid regions—a fitting metaphor for a startup born in a challenging environment and focused on transforming hard realities.
Founded in June 2018, Caliche aims to become an Indian technological alternative to global giants serving critical sectors like energy, mining, and petroleum.
Mission-Driven Technology: Inside CarbonOne
Caliche’s flagship innovation, CarbonOne, targets one of the most pressing global challenges: carbon emissions from heavy industries. Using a proprietary microbial process, the technology captures CO2 directly from industrial flue gases and metabolises it into value-added biomass.
Unlike conventional chemical methods, which are energy-intensive and infrastructure-heavy, Caliche's approach is modular, energy-efficient, and biologically driven.
This makes it especially suitable for deployment across India’s industrial backbone—thermal power, oil refineries, mining, and manufacturing.
"We’re offering a circular economy solution that not only captures carbon but also creates a commercial product from it," said COO Anandh Mathew.
Team Structure and Hiring Ethos
Caliche operates under a lean yet deeply committed leadership model. Amit, the CEO, focuses on vision, team building, and technology strategy, while Anandh, the COO, manages deployment logistics and compliance within India’s complex public sector frameworks.
Backed by a seasoned board of advisors and domain-specific mentors, the team is augmented by a mix of in-house and outsourced experts. Their hiring philosophy prioritises potential and perseverance over pedigrees, especially valuing those who embrace uncertainty and are willing to build from the ground up.
Big Carbon, Bigger Opportunity: Cracking the CCUS Code
India’s carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) market is rapidly gaining traction. Valued at USD 97.08 million in 2024, it is projected to nearly double by 2033. Caliche's microbial technology aligns perfectly with national decarbonisation goals, such as NITI Aayog’s CCUS policy, which promotes commercial adoption through industry clusters and financial incentives.
The startup’s target customers are high-emission industries that struggle to meet environmental targets using traditional solutions. Once a pilot succeeds, these partners often scale their collaboration, ensuring long-term engagement.
Microbes, Money, and Modularity: The Caliche Model
Caliche’s revenue model is built on a CAPEX-OPEX structure. Clients fund infrastructure, while Caliche earns through plant operations, ongoing optimisation, and biomass product sales. This model aligns incentives and provides a recurring income stream.
Moreover, the system's scalability is tied to the volume of microbial solution used, making it adaptable to various industry sizes and requirements.
"It’s about more than just a product; it's a partnership," said Amit. "We walk with our clients through uncertainty, R&D, and deployment."
Looking Ahead
Caliche is not just a carbon capture company. It represents a new generation of Indian startups that are creating global-impact technologies from emerging geographies. By turning emissions into opportunity, Caliche is paving the way for a cleaner, economically resilient industrial future.
