CEF Group

What CEF Group does

CEF Group is an India-based circular economy platform operating across waste processing, biofuels, and bio-agri inputs. Founded in 2014 by Maninder Singh Nayyar and headquartered in New Delhi, the company converts unsegregated municipal solid waste (MSW), agricultural residue, and invasive lake weeds into Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG), organic manure, and Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF). Its three core business verticals are Waste Processing & Recycling, Bio Agri Inputs (marketed under the Apna Khad brand, including organic manure, vermicompost, PROM, neem-based insecticides, biofertilizers, and organic boosters), and Lake Weed Processing. The company additionally holds an investment portfolio in EV mobility (GoSporty, launched December 2024), retail (NAFED Bazaar, 32 outlets), and agri-tech (Natural Or Nothing, with Soil to Spoon subscription and Kitchen Garden Service). The Dal Lake waste-to-manure facility in Srinagar, India's first large-scale aquatic weed-to-organic manure circular economy project, was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in February 2024. The company has 251-500 employees and is privately held.

CEF Group's core technical differentiator is its licensed European waste processing technology, which accepts unsegregated mixed MSW — including plastics, metals, cotton, and food waste — without pre-sorting, reducing front-end CapEx versus conventional waste-to-energy systems. The lake weed processing capability, currently operational at Dal Lake with 70,000 tons/year weed input producing 24,000 tons/year organic manure, applies microbial enrichment and controlled formulations to convert invasive aquatic biomass into FCO-compliant organic inputs. Manufacturing operations span six facilities: organic manure plants at Srinagar (24,000 tpy), Budhana/Muzaffarnagar (35,000 tpy), and Tikola/Muzaffarnagar (20,000 tpy); and two large MSW plants under commissioning in Jammu (350 TPD input, September 2025) and Ahmedabad (500 TPD input, October 2025), which together are expected to add 25.9 TPD of CBG capacity, 125 TPD of manure output, and 280 TPD of RDF capacity.

The company's business model combines project-based enterprise revenue from municipal waste processing contracts with distributed consumer revenue from organic agri-inputs, retail, and electric vehicles. Enterprise customers include Srinagar, Jammu, and Ahmedabad municipal corporations; Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) is the anchor Bio-CNG offtaker under a long-term MoU; and NAFED is the strategic partner for organic manure branding and the NAFED Bazaar retail network. Consumer-facing revenue streams include 32 NAFED Bazaar retail outlets selling daily essentials and organic produce, GoSporty electric cycles at INR 20,000-30,000 distributed through 20+ dealerships, and the Apna Khad bio-agri input line serving 48,756 farmers. CEF Group has announced Rs 650 crore (~$79M) of planned investment in Uttar Pradesh for biofuel production, positioning for material capacity expansion through 2025-2026.

Name

CEF Group

Legal name

CEF Group

Website

https://cefgroup.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

CEF Group, founded in 2014 in India, converts municipal solid waste, agricultural residue, and lake weeds into Compressed Bio-Gas, organic manure, and RDF. It serves municipal corporations, IOCL, farmers, and retail consumers via integrated waste-to-value operations and EV mobility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Waste Management and Biofuel Production

NAICS

Fertilizer and Compost Manufacturing (32531), Compost Manufacturing (325315), Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253), Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (325320)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Agricultural Chemicals (2870), Agricultural Services (700), Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150)

akta.pro primary industry

Organic & Bio-based Fertilizers (Manure/Compost/Biochar) (IMAEAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digestate & Compost Product Processing, Marketing & Distribution (Soil Amendments, Mulch) (EUAIAEAE), On-Farm Circularity & Waste Valorization (Residue Management, Biochar, Manure/Organic Waste Use) (AFAGAMAI)

Keywords

• Waste-to-energy services
• Compressed biogas production
• Organic biofertilizer manufacturing
• Municipal solid waste processing
• Circular economy solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Biofuel/CBG Sales: Sale of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) produced from municipal solid waste and agricultural residue. Revenue generated through offtake agreements with IOCL and direct sales to industrial consumers. Plants in Jammu (9.8 TPD CBG) and Ahmedabad (16.1 TPD CBG) represent capacity for recurring revenue streams.
2. Organic Manure Sales (Apna Khad Brand): Sale of organic manure and bio-agri inputs under Apna Khad brand through multiple channels including retail outlets, distributor networks, and direct farmer sales. Products include organic manure, vermi compost, PROM, organic boosters, neem-based insecticides, and biofertilizers.
3. Retail Operations (NAFED Bazaar): Operation of 32 NAFED Bazaar retail outlets selling daily essentials, organic produce, and packaged foods. Revenue from retail sales with strategic partnership with NAFED for sourcing and distribution. Includes 23+ new product launches.
4. EV Sales (GoSporty): Sale of affordable electric cycles and EVs at ₹20,000-₹30,000 price range. Retail pricing with brand ambassador Harbhajan Singh. Distribution through online portal and 20+ dealership channels across Indian states.
5. Waste Processing Project Development: Development and implementation of waste-to-energy and waste processing plants for municipal corporations and state governments. Revenue from project development, technology integration, and operational services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CEF Group converts unsegregated municipal solid waste, agricultural residue, and invasive lake weeds into Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG), Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), and organic manure through European waste-processing technology adapted to Indian conditions. The company manufactures and sells organic agri-inputs (manure, vermicompost, PROM, biofertilizers, neem-based insecticides) under the Apna Khad brand and extends the platform downstream through GoSporty electric vehicles, NAFED Bazaar retail outlets, and Natural Or Nothing farm-to-consumer produce subscriptions.

Product overview

CEF Group operates a circular economy platform with three core business pillars: Waste Processing & Biofuels (converting municipal solid waste into Compressed Bio-Gas, Organic Manure, and Refuse-Derived Fuel), Bio Agri Inputs (manufacturing organic fertilizers and pesticides under the Apna Khad brand including Organic Manure, Vermi Compost, PROM, Organic Boosters, Neem-based Insecticides, Biofertilizers, and Organic Fungicide), and Lake Weed Processing (converting invasive lake weeds into organic manure). The company also manages investment portfolios in EV (GoSporty), Agri-Tech (Natural Or Nothing with Soil to Spoon subscription and Kitchen Garden Service), and Retail (NAFED Bazaar stores). All operations are integrated under a circular model where waste and biomass become inputs for energy and agriculture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Apna Khad: Organic manure and bio-inputs brand including organic manure, vermi compost, phosphate-rich organic manure (PROM), organic boosters, neem-based insecticides, biofertilizers, and organic fungicides. Products are FCO-compliant and certified.
• Natural Or Nothing
• GoSporty

Products and services

• Waste Processing & Biofuels End-to-end waste-to-energy service that accepts unsegregated mixed MSW (plastics, metals, cotton, food waste) without pre-sorting and converts it into Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG), Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), and organic manure, sold to municipal corporations, IOCL, and industrial consumers.
• Apna Khad Organic Manure Premium organic manure produced from lake weed, sugarcane residue, and pressmud that is chemical-free, residue-free, rich in organic carbon, and packed with natural micronutrients for soil health restoration. Sold under the FCO-compliant Apna Khad brand to farmers through distributors and NAFED Bazaar outlets.
• Apna Khad Vermi Compost Vermicompost product under the Apna Khad brand providing nutrient-rich organic fertilizer for soil health improvement, sold through the bio-agri input distribution network.
• Apna Khad Phosphate Rich Organic Manure (PROM) Phosphate-rich organic manure (PROM) under the Apna Khad brand providing essential phosphorus for plant growth and root development, sold through CEF Group's bio-agri input distribution network.
• Apna Khad Organic Boosters Organic plant boosters containing Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Micronutrients for comprehensive plant nutrition, sold under the Apna Khad brand through bio-agri input retail and distributor channels.
• Apna Khad Neem-based Insecticides (NeemAstra, Brahmastra) Neem-based organic insecticides including NeemAstra and Brahmastra for chemical-free pest control, sold under the Apna Khad brand for sustainable agriculture.
• Apna Khad Biofertilizers Biofertilizer products under the Apna Khad brand containing Rhizobium, Azotobacter, PSB, Acetobacter, Trichoderma, and Composting Culture for soil enrichment and natural plant growth promotion, sold through the bio-agri input distribution network.
• Lake Weed Processing (Dal Lake) Environmental remediation service that removes invasive aquatic weeds from polluted lakes and converts them through scientific processing into premium-grade organic manure, linking lake restoration with sustainable farming under a circular-economy model. Operational at Dal Lake, Srinagar, with 70,000 tons/year weed input capacity producing 24,000 tons/year organic manure.
• GoSporty Electric Vehicles Electric mobility brand offering eco-friendly e-cycles and e-bikes for affordable cleaner urban mobility. Retail pricing ₹20,000–₹30,000, distributed via gosporty.in online portal and 20+ dealerships across Indian states. Cricketer Harbhajan Singh serves as Brand Ambassador.
• NAFED Bazaar Retail Operations Ethical retail platform operated in partnership with NAFED offering FSSAI-certified daily essentials, organic produce, staples, packaged foods, ready-to-eat meals, and millet-based products across 32 retail outlets in India (including locations at IOCL fuel stations, East Kidwai Nagar, Krishi Bhawan, FRI Dehradun, and Kartavya Path).
• Natural Or Nothing (Soil to Spoon Subscription + Kitchen Garden Service) Farm-to-consumer agricultural initiative delivering fresh chemical-free produce via Soil-to-Spoon subscription boxes (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) plus a Kitchen Garden Service for balconies and terraces. Empowers farmers with fair returns while serving conscious urban consumers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600,000 tons of waste converted into clean biofuels
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NAFEDcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Strategic collaboration since 2018 for raw material supply chain management, branding, packaging, and distribution of organic by-products. Joint operation of NAFED Bazaar retail stores across India with direct farmer procurement. CEF Group manages logistics and supply chain for NAFED with 32+ stores launched.
• Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018MoU since 2018 for nationwide offtake of Bio-CNG produced from waste processing facilities. Joint campaigns for green fuel awareness. NAFED Bazaar stores launched at IOCL fuel stations (Janakpuri, Pitampura, Greater Noida, Surya Nagar) for wider accessibility.
• Global Technology PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean technology partners providing waste processing solutions with experience from over 300 projects worldwide. Enables unsegregated waste processing without pre-sorting. Insights from 35+ international plant visits across Europe, Asia, and North America inform operational excellence.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SUEZ: Global environmental services major with MSW processing and circular economy operations in India. Competes at the upper end of municipal solid waste contracts that CEF also targets, though at significantly larger scale and via different technology stacks.
• Coromandel International: India's largest private-sector fertilizer manufacturer (Murugappa Group) with specialty and organic fertilizer SKUs and pan-India dealer network. A broad incumbent in the same organic fertilizer category as CEF's Apna Khad brand.
• UPL Limited: Global Indian-headquartered agri-inputs major (biosolutions, seeds, crop protection). Operates a bioproducts portfolio targeting the same farmer customers via established pan-India distribution.
• Veolia Environnement: Global waste management and waste-to-energy leader operating municipal concessions in India. Competes with CEF for large municipal waste processing mandates, particularly in tier-1 cities where Ahmedabad-sized projects are awarded.
• Adani Green Energy: India's largest renewable energy developer (Adani Group) and parent of Adani Total Gas. A broad incumbent in India's clean energy ecosystem with the capital base to outbid CEF for premium municipal waste contracts or pursue inorganic entry.
• DCM Shriram: Indian diversified chemicals, fertilizers, and sugar conglomerate with active CBG-from-pressmud operations. Overlaps with CEF on compressed bio-gas production and on farmer-facing agri-input distribution in north India.

Direct peers

• EverEnviro Resource Management: Indian company that builds and operates compressed bio-gas (CBG) plants from municipal solid waste and agricultural residues. Closest direct peer to CEF's waste-to-CBG vertical, competing for similar SATAT-aligned municipal contracts and IOCL/BPCL offtake tie-ups.
• Praj Industries: India's leading EPC contractor for ethanol, CBG, and biogas plants. Competes directly with CEF in the engineering and delivery of waste-to-energy facilities and serves the same bio-CBG developer ecosystem.
• Verbio Vereinigte BioEnergie: Germany-listed integrated biomethane and biofertilizer producer with operations across Europe. Its model of converting agricultural residues into biomethane plus co-product biofertilizer is the internationally replicated template CEF is adapting in India.
• IFFCO: India's largest farmer cooperative fertilizer producer with established biofertilizer and organic product lines, plus direct farmgate distribution. Competes with CEF in the organic agri-input space and shares the same farmer customer base in India.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubecefgroup.in/impact-in-motion

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CEF Group