Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) has announced to set up a Polylactic Acid (PLA) biopolymer manufacturing unit at Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh with an investment of ₹2,850 crore. It will be funded through 40% equity and 60% debt.
The company said it would be India’s first such integrated biopolymer plant that will help in replacing single use plastic. The ground breaking ceremony was conducted by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
To come up adjacent to the company’s existing sugar factory in Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh the unit will be operational in October 2026 and will source its raw material from the sugar mill. “It is expected to enhance resource efficiency and optimise supply chain management,” the company said.
The global technology providers include Sulzer from Switzerland, Alpine Engineering GmbH from Austria and Jacobs Solutions Inc from the U.S.
“This plant is going to be India’s first industrial scale biopolymer plant & also set a new global benchmark. It will be powered by 100% renewable energy for its entire production process, and also the first plant location where sugarcane is transformed into PLA in a single, integrated site, showcasing a truly closed-loop sustainability model,” the company said.
With an annual production capacity of 80,000 tonnes per annum, the plant will produce 100% industrially compostable & bio-based PLA- Poly Lactic acid which finds a wide range of applications in the manufacturing of bio degradable plastic replacement products such as straws, disposable cutlery, food trays, bottles, curd cups, and carry bags by small scale manufacturing units.
This PLA can also be anaerobically digested to produce biogas and fertilizer, tackling both waste and emissions.
Vivek Saraogi, Chairman & Managing Director, Balrampur Chini Mills Limited said, “The establishment of India’s first PLA biopolymer manufacturing facility represents a monumental leap in our nation’s industrial sustainability journey.”
“By producing PLA at industrial scale, we are not only reducing dependence on fossil fuels but also setting new benchmarks for responsible manufacturing,” he said.
Avantika Saraogi, Executive Director, Balrampur Chini Mills Limited said, “This plant will augment in positioning Uttar Pradesh as a leader in biopolymer production, boosting industrial growth and making India a key player in the bio-based economy, globally by tapping into the rich biomass reserves of the country and paving the way for its emergence as a key export hub.”
Published – February 22, 2025 03:09 pm IST
