Innovation drives Petonic Infotech, Petonic AI and Plannex Recycling

Yuvraj Bhardwaj- CEO, Petonic Infotech, Petonic AI and Plannex Recycling and Yashraj Bhardwaj, CSO & COO, Petonic Infotech, Petonic AI and CSO of Plannex Recycling underline how they are choosing depth using research, innovation, and sustainability to power their ventures, Petonic AI and Plannex Recycling.

What inspired the both to embark on their entrepreneurial journey at such a young age?

Our entrepreneurial journey began with an immense sense of scientific curiosity and a commitment to delivering meaningful social impact. Since the age of 14, we have been inspired to solve real-world challenges through innovation. Our early research into water purification using indigenous grains, like the bajra purifier, earned us international recognition from organizations such as the State Ganga River Conservation Agency and the governments of Malaysia, Austria, and Israel.

By 17, we had secured 18 patents, which gave us the confidence to transform our ideas into scalable ventures. We were driven by a vision to create solutions that transcend profit, focusing on empowering communities and industries through technology and sustainability. Our entrepreneurial spirit and ability to build ecosystems for lasting impact inspired us to launch Petonic Infotech, Petonic AI, and Plannex Recycling.

How did the idea of Petonic Infotech and Plannex Recycling come to life, and how do the two ventures complement each other in terms of innovation and impact?

Petonic Infotech and Plannex Recycling were born out of the critical market gaps and our determination to address them with innovative, technology-driven solutions. In 2014, we founded Petonic Infotech, utilizing the proceeds from selling our early patents. Our goal was to revolutionize strategic consulting by introducing a success-fee model, where we charge clients based on results rather than upfront retainers. This approach made us a trusted partner for governments, corporations, and SMEs across sectors like technology, finance, agriculture, healthcare, and defence, delivering tailored, high-impact solutions.

The idea of Plannex took shape in 2021 when we identified a glaring gap in India’s waste management landscape: the lack of efficient, tech-enabled recycling systems. As the country generates over 62 million tonnes of waste annually, inefficient reverse logistics and fragmented recycling infrastructure have been major barriers to sustainability. Driven by a vision to transform waste into a valuable resource, we launched Plannex to build a circular economy powered by innovation and operational excellence.

These ventures complement each other seamlessly, amplifying our innovation and societal impact.

What were some of the biggest challenges they faced while building their companies, and how did they overcome them?

Establishing credibility in a consulting industry dominated by legacy firms, Petonic Infotech introduced a performance-linked success-fee model that aligned with client outcomes—building trust and attracting marquee clients, including governments and Fortune 500 companies allowing us to carve a niche in technology, infrastructure, defence, fintech, agribusiness, and public policy.

For Plannex, the key challenge was navigating India’s fragmented recycling sector with minimal formal systems and stakeholders unfamiliar to tech-driven processes. Setting up a reverse logistics network connecting waste generators to recyclers required deep operational insight and strong execution. By standardizing operations, automating processes, and launching India’s first proprietary waste ERP with real-time tracking and AI-based sorting, Plannex overcame systemic inefficiencies. Both ventures scaled by combining innovation, operational rigour, and stakeholder alignment, emerging as transformative players in their domains.

Petonic is known for working on futuristic solutions, shed light on some of their most disruptive or scalable innovations to date?

1. An AI-powered live analytics dashboard was developed for the Uttarakhand Government to enhance governance, safety, and efficiency during the Char Dham Yatra. The system integrates real-time data from pilgrim registrations, weather updates, medical alerts, and crowd movement. AI models support predictive crowd management, route optimization, incident prevention, and resource allocation. This innovation enabled proactive monitoring, significantly reduced congestion, improved emergency response, and enhanced the overall safety and experience of pilgrims through data-driven alerts.

2. A state-level GST analytics solution was developed using big data and AI to help tax departments identify compliance gaps, evasion, and revenue leakages. By integrating GSTN data, PAN-linked filings, and sectoral revenue reports, AI models were built to detect anomalies, fake invoices, and input credit misuse. The solution enabled targeted audits, improved compliance, boosted indirect tax collection without raising rates, and supported states in designing sector-specific GST enforcement policies.

3. The Hilans initiative by the Uttarakhand Government aimed to build a sustainable market ecosystem for rural and hill-based products. From brand conceptualization to execution, the project covered product curation, pricing, packaging, branding, organic/GI certification, logistics, and both physical and digital distribution channels. It also included e-commerce integration, FPO enablement, and training workshops. As a result, Hilans emerged as a recognized brand, improving market access and boosting the incomes of over 10,000 local producers and women-led self-help groups while ensuring long-term viability of rural products.

4. Petonic designed the GTM strategy for Apollo’s logistics and infrastructure verticals, enabling swift market entry and scale. The project involved in-depth research on India’s 3PL, infrastructure, and warehousing sectors, defining the value proposition, solution mapping, and differentiators. The GTM blueprint included B2B segmentation, sales funnel strategy, pricing models, SLAs, branding assets, and partner onboarding tools. Digital dashboards were also developed for client lifecycle, sales tracking, and service optimization. This helped Apollo secure early anchor clients, accelerate growth, and build a scalable, investor-ready model for nationwide expansion.

What are some of the projects Petonic executed and what is their impact on society?

At Petonic Infotech, we have executed a diverse portfolio of high-impact projects across technology, infrastructure, defence, fintech, agribusiness, and public policy, delivering transformative outcomes for governments, corporations, and communities. While specific details are limited, our work includes advising on national programs, institutional restructuring, and cross-sector transformations. These initiatives have supported central and state governments, Fortune 500 companies, family offices, and startups, showcasing our strategic expertise. Our success-fee model ensures measurable results, such as improved operational efficiency, policy implementation, and sector-specific innovation, driving economic and institutional progress.

The societal impact of our projects is profound. By advising on public policy and national programs, we have facilitated systemic improvements in governance and infrastructure, enhancing community access to services and resources. Our work in agribusiness likely supports sustainable practices, improving food security and rural livelihoods. In fintech and technology, we have driven digital transformation, fostering financial inclusion and innovation. Petonic AI’s platforms, like SolveAI and SkillexAI, will further amplify our impact by addressing skill gaps, optimizing resources, and enabling data-driven decisions, contributing to a more efficient, inclusive, and innovative society.

How serious is the waste management issue in India?

India is neck-deep in a waste management crisis, mirroring the country’s fast-paced urbanisation and rapid population growth. With over 1.4 billion people, India generates 62 million tonnes of waste annually. Only 70% is collected, and 12 million tonnes are treated. Unfortunately, 31 million tonnes still end up in landfills. Solid municipal waste is also expected to rise to 165 million tonnes by 2030.

Urban cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, in particular, are grappling with excessive amounts of waste and the weight of unmanaged or poorly managed landfills. Meanwhile, rural areas of the country lack the infrastructure to segregate and manage waste effectively. This problem is further exacerbated by the diverse and complex nature of waste, ranging from electronic waste and plastics to biomedical and hazardous industrial waste. Despite several policy interventions like the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates, actual implementation on the ground remains fragmented and underfunded.

Plannex transforms waste into a valuable resource through a tech-first, innovation-driven model focused on reverse logistics. With 70+ collection centres across India, GPS-tracked mobile apps, and AI-based sorting, it processes over 2.5 lakh metric tonnes of e-waste, plastics, tyres, batteries, and solar panels annually. Industry-first solutions like its proprietary waste ERP platform and robust PRO services enable scalable, sustainable impact—redefining waste management and advancing India’s circular economy vision.

With Plannex Recycling, they're addressing a critical environmental issue, how do they envision its role in building a circular economy in India?

Our core mission is to redefine waste as a resource and embed sustainability into every layer of the value chain. We believe a true circular economy in India can only be built through scalable infrastructure, intelligent technology, and deep collaboration. And, that’s exactly where we see our role.

We envision Plannex as the backbone of this transformation, enabling businesses, governments, and communities to close the loop on waste. Our integrated model which covers collection, segregation, recycling, and value creation, ensures that all the waste materials are reintroduced into the production cycle rather than ending up in landfills.

What are the solutions that Petonic Infotech offers?

At Petonic Infotech, we offer a comprehensive suite of strategic consulting solutions designed to deliver measurable outcomes across technology, infrastructure, defence, fintech, agribusiness, and public policy. We provide tailored advisory services to central and state governments, Fortune 500 companies, family offices, and startups, addressing challenges like institutional restructuring, national program implementation, and cross-sector transformations.

Our expertise includes strategic planning, operational optimization, and sector-specific innovation, empowering clients to achieve efficiency and scalability. Through Petonic AI, we are developing AI-driven platforms which will leverage real-time analytics, generative AI, and adaptive simulations to deliver insights, automate tax workflows, optimize workforce productivity, streamline HR management, and enhance project planning. By combining traditional consulting with cutting-edge AI, we offer a transformative approach that empowers organizations to navigate complexity and drive sustainable growth.

What are the biggest projects of Plannex recycling?

The initiative focuses on expanding e-waste and plastic processing plants, capturing market share in both sectors, and establishing an integrated supply chain to handle 2.5 lakh metric tons of waste annually. It includes the state-of-the-art Faridabad facility and the upcoming advanced e-waste and plastic processing plant in Indore, both designed to set new benchmarks in sustainable waste management infrastructure.

What role has research and collaboration played in their success, and how do they approach R&D and partnerships in both their ventures?

Research and collaboration have enabled us to deliver innovative, impactful solutions. Our 36 research projects, recognized by awards like the Karmaveer Chakra and a Padma Shri nomination, reflect our rigorous R&D approach. At Petonic Infotech and Petonic AI, we focus R&D on AI-driven platforms which integrate real-time analytics and generative AI to deliver scalable consulting solutions for healthcare, energy, BFSI, and sustainability. We collaborate with governments, Fortune 500 companies, and institutions like UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, enabling cross-sector transformations and policy advocacy. For Plannex Recycling, we innovate in material recovery systems to process diverse waste streams like e-waste and tyres. Collaboration is equally vital for Plannex Recycling as we have partnered with global players to expand our technological capabilities.