India launched the commercial use of bio-based biodegradable plastic based on Polylactic Acid (PLA) on 24 September 2026 in New Delhi. The initiative is being implemented by Balrampur Chini Mills Limited under the BioE3 framework, which stands for Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment.
Polylactic Acid and Biodegradable Plastics
Polylactic Acid is a bio-based polymer produced from renewable feedstocks and used in packaging, consumer products, and other industrial applications. Biodegradable plastics are materials that can break down through biological processes under specified conditions, and PLA is one of the best-known commercial bioplastics.
BioE3 Policy Framework
The BioE3 policy was approved by the Union Cabinet on 24 August 2024. It is designed to support high-performance biomanufacturing and the commercial development of advanced bio-based materials in India.
Pilot Facility at Kumbhi
A pilot-scale research and development facility with a capacity of 100 tonnes per annum will be set up at Balrampur Chini Mills Limited’s integrated manufacturing complex in Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh. The facility will develop PLA grades and PLA co-polymers for high-value applications and generate techno-economic data for scale-up.
Important Facts for Exams
- Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council functions under the Department of Biotechnology.
- Polylactic Acid is commonly abbreviated as PLA in science and industry usage.
- Tonnes per annum, or TPA, is a standard unit used to measure annual production capacity.
- India’s bioeconomy has expanded from about US10 billion in 2014 to nearly US195 billion.
Funding and Industrial Relevance
The pilot facility is supported by a ₹75 crore grant from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council under the Department of Biotechnology. The project is linked to indigenous biomanufacturing and the development of advanced bio-based materials for commercial production.
