Merck KGaA has commissioned a biomass-based co-generation power plant at its Usgao production site in India's Goa, state.

Built at a cost of €3 million as part of the company-wide climate protection program Edison, Merck said the "climate neutral" unit with an output of 3 megawatts will generate electricity and steam for its chemical and pharmaceutical production.

In July of this year, a co-generation plant was commissioned at Merck's Darmstadt, Germany, headquarters.

Feedstock for the Indian unit, which can be operated outside the public power grid, is mainly recycled shells of cashews and coconuts farmed in the region.

Merck said the use of biomass will enable it to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 11,500 t or 85% of total CO2 emissions in Goa.