Assam Startup Cuts Coal from 80-Year-Old Tea Process

For more than 80 years, Assam's famous tea has been made the same way: dried with coal and gas in factories that barely changed since British colonial times. Now two local engineers are rewriting that recipe with clean technology that could transform one of India's oldest industries.

Sudarshan Deka and Surjya Prakash Borthakur founded Deroi Innovations after noticing a glaring problem in their home state. Every tea factory around them burned fossil fuels to dry leaves, creating pollution and maintaining outdated methods.

Surjya trained as an electronics engineer before entering the tea world. He used that technical background to design machines that process tea at much lower temperatures than industry standard, completely eliminating the need for coal or gas.

The result is naturally dried tea processed with modern technology and electricity. "We give them clean, ethically manufactured tea," Surjya explains, referring to Indian consumers who inspired their entire business model.

The Assam government backed them at three critical moments. First came a major grant during an early startup phase. Then they were selected to represent Assam at a trade fair in New Delhi, giving them visibility beyond their region.

The biggest break came when they joined just three tea brands chosen to represent Assam globally at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York. Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna tasted their tea at that showcase and promoted it on social media, validating that their sustainable approach could compete on the world stage.

The Ripple Effect

The founders see their innovation spreading far beyond their own company. Almost every tea factory in Assam still burns coal and gas, but Surjya wants manufacturers across the landscape to transition to cleaner energy.

If adopted widely, the technology could reduce emissions across an entire sector while preserving the quality that made Assam tea famous worldwide. The shift could also help India's tea industry meet growing global demand for sustainably produced products.

For Deka and Borthakur, the mission connects directly to home. "We grew up in Assam, and our entire product, entire technology, is focused on creating a better place and ecosystem in Assam," Surjya says.

They also encourage northeastern consumers to support local startups building quality products in the region. Local backing, they believe, helps homegrown innovation thrive.

Their journey proves that solutions to global sustainability challenges can come from anywhere, even from engineers in a region known more for tradition than disruption.