Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today launched the commercial use of bio-based biodegradable plastic based on Polylactic Acid (PLA), marking an important step in India’s transition towards next-generation sustainable manufacturing.
The initiative under the Government’s BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) framework is being taken forward by Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML). The pilot-scale facility will be established at BCML’s integrated manufacturing complex at Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh. The facility will focus on developing specialised PLA grades and advanced PLA co-polymers for high-value applications. It will generate techno-economic data and process know-how, support product development and customer validation, facilitate technology indigenisation and help enable seamless scale-up towards commercial production. The facility will also strengthen collaboration between industry, academia and research institutions.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh said that the initiative represents a significant milestone in India’s bioeconomy journey, where biotechnology is moving beyond laboratory research towards commercial products, sustainable manufacturing and employment generation. The Minister said that India’s bioeconomy, which was valued at around ten billion dollars in 2014, has grown to nearly 195 billion dollars, reflecting the rapid expansion of biotechnology-led economic activity. He said the next phase must focus on translating scientific capabilities into commercially viable products and technologies. Dr Singh said that the PLA initiative can strengthen India’s ability to participate in the global transition towards sustainable manufacturing and create a new value chain based on biological resources. He said the initiative can contribute to India’s emergence as a global leader in the bioeconomy and as a source of practical solutions for other countries.
The BioE3-backed initiative is expected to accelerate the development and commercialisation of advanced bio-based materials, strengthen India’s indigenous biomanufacturing capabilities and support the emergence of a sustainable, employment-generating and globally competitive bioeconomy.
