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In a nation where food waste reaches staggering proportions, WasteLink, a Delhi-based startup, is pioneering a solution that not only addresses surplus food but also alleviates the financial pressures on India’s dairy and poultry sectors. Founded in 2018 by chemical engineer Saket Dave and his former colleague Krishnan Kasturirangan, the company has developed an innovative approach to upcycling food that is still fit for human consumption into nutritious feed for animals.

India wastes approximately 74 million tonnes of food annually, according to the United Nations Environment Programme, representing 22% of its food grain production. Much of this food, despite being edible, ends up in landfills or compost.

Concurrently, the dairy and poultry industries face rising costs for vital feed ingredients like maize and soya. WasteLink emerges at this intersection, transforming a pressing problem into a viable business opportunity.

Initially, WasteLink aimed to tackle various types of waste, including plastics and electronics, but soon realized that the food sector held unique potential. Unlike recycling plastics or electronics, which had established pathways, food waste predominantly ended up as compost or biogas. By focusing on the dairy sector's need for affordable feed, WasteLink shifted its focus towards creating high-quality feed ingredients from surplus food.

The company’s flagship product, Ecomix, is a blend of various food streams, ensuring consistency regardless of the input, whether it be chocolate or spices. Dave notes that replacing just 30% of cattle feed with Ecomix can increase milk production by 15%, underscoring the product’s effectiveness and appeal.

WasteLink employs a B2B model, selling its feed directly to manufacturers at a rate of ₹25,000 to ₹35,000 per tonne. With around 15 to 20 paying customers, the startup quickly established itself, securing its first client within three months of launching.

The company now operates with a workforce of 80 employees and approximately 250 laborers across its factories. Their proprietary AI platform enhances efficiency in logistics and production, adjusting formulations based on daily nutritional variations in the food inputs.

In its pursuit of growth, WasteLink recently reported ₹27 crore in revenue for FY25 and raised $3 million in Series A funding, enabling the company to expand its production capacity significantly. The Indian animal feed market, valued at ₹1,110 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6-9%, reaching ₹2,025 billion by 2033. In response, WasteLink aims to process 24,000 tonnes of feed annually within three years.

Building trust with both food suppliers and animal feed manufacturers has been a key challenge. Dave emphasizes the importance of establishing confidence in the safety and consistency of their products through innovative processing methods. Unlike informal competitors, WasteLink positions itself as a structured player in the Indian feed market, poised to capitalize on growing demand.

With plans to enhance its AI capabilities for better traceability and to explore export markets, WasteLink is not just a local player; it is set to become a significant contributor to the global movement towards sustainable food systems. As the team doubles down on expanding its infrastructure and product offerings, WasteLink exemplifies how addressing food surplus can create new pathways for efficiency and sustainability in the agricultural sector.