KRBL Limited released its Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) for the financial year ended March 31, 2026, highlighting significant strides in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. The company reported a 48% reduction in grid electricity consumption compared to the previous year, driven by enhanced operational efficiencies and increased reliance on renewable energy sources.

The filing, submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and the Bombay Stock Exchange on September 2, 2026, outlines the company’s performance across environmental, social, and governance parameters. KRBL operates five manufacturing plants and two offices nationally, serving customers in over 90 countries. Its flagship brand, India Gate, remains a dominant player in the premium basmati rice segment.

Environmental Performance

KRBL recorded substantial improvements in its carbon footprint during FY26. Total Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions fell to 3,747.24 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MTCO2e), down from 13,981.66 MTCO2e in FY25. Similarly, Scope 2 emissions decreased to 5,366.87 MTCO2e from 11,215.51 MTCO2e the prior year.

Energy intensity per rupee of turnover improved to 47.58 kJ/₹ from 52.74 kJ/₹ in FY25. More than 95% of the energy consumed in operations was derived from renewable sources, primarily through rice husk-based power generation and solar installations. The commissioning of a 1.75 MW turbine at one of its units further strengthened its renewable energy portfolio.

Water withdrawal from water-stressed areas declined by approximately 18%. Total water withdrawal stood at 5,03,515.81 kilolitres, with surface water accounting for the majority of usage. The company maintains zero liquid discharge practices at key facilities, treating wastewater for reuse in boiler operations and gardening.

Social and Governance Highlights

The company employed 2,777 permanent employees and 836 permanent workers as of March 31, 2026. Women constituted 3.10% of total employees and 9.21% of total workers. Board-level representation included two women directors, accounting for 25.00% of the eight-member board.

Occupational health and safety metrics showed improvement, with the Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) for employees dropping to 0.40 per million person-hours worked, compared to 0.74 in FY25. No fatalities were reported during the year.

What the Numbers Show

The divergence between renewable and non-renewable energy trends underscores KRBL’s strategic shift away from fossil fuels. While total energy consumption remained relatively stable at approximately 29,01,523.65 GJ in FY26 versus 29,50,287.44 GJ in FY25, the composition changed drastically. Non-renewable energy consumption plummeted by nearly 70% to 69,664.82 GJ from 2,32,179.45 GJ, while renewable consumption rose modestly. This structural change directly explains the sharp decline in both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions without a corresponding drop in overall operational scale.

Waste and Compliance

Total waste generated increased slightly to 39,715.06 metric tonnes from 37,568.19 metric tonnes in FY25, largely due to non-hazardous waste such as rice husk ash. The company recycled 1,470.79 metric tonnes of waste. Under its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) commitments, KRBL collected, recycled, or co-processed 3,620 metric tonnes of plastic waste, maintaining its status as a plastic-neutral organisation since 2019.

The report confirms no penalties or fines were paid to regulatory agencies during the year. The company’s CSR spending covered initiatives including skill training for 1,333 beneficiaries and meal distribution to approximately 6,967 individuals.

KRBL is advancing its non-basmati rice expansion at Gangavathi, marking a strategic development for the company in the non-basmati segment.

Gangavathi non-basmati expansion

The move into Gangavathi represents a notable step for KRBL as it extends its presence beyond its established basmati rice business into the non-basmati segment. Gangavathi, located in Karnataka, is a significant rice-producing region, making it a relevant location for such an expansion initiative.

Strategic context

KRBL's decision to move forward with the Gangavathi facility reflects the company's intent to diversify its rice portfolio. The non-basmati segment represents a distinct market from the premium basmati category with which KRBL has historically been associated.