Indian minister launches commercial use of bio-based biodegradable PLA plastic
In India, News On Air reported that India’s Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh 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 specialized 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 indigenization and help enable seamless scale-up towards commercial production. The facility will also strengthen collaboration between industry, academia and research institutions, according to the report.
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 BioE3-backed initiative is expected to accelerate the development and commercialization of advanced bio-based materials, strengthen India’s indigenous bio-manufacturing capabilities and support the emergence of a sustainable, employment-generating and globally competitive bio-economy, the report added.
Category: Policy
