Balrampur Chini Mills (BCML) received ₹75 crore in grant assistance from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), government of India. The grant will support the establishment of a 100-ton-per-annum (TPA) PLA Co-Polymer R&D facility under the government’s flagship BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) initiative. The project will accelerate the development of advanced bio-based materials while strengthening India’s domestic biomanufacturing capabilities. In addition, it supports the country’s efforts to expand its bioeconomy and develop innovative alternatives to conventional materials.
R&D Facility to Support PLA Innovation
BCML will establish the pilot-scale R&D facility at its integrated manufacturing complex in Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh. The company is also setting up India’s first integrated commercial-scale PLA manufacturing facility at the same complex. The R&D centre will focus on developing
next-generation polylactic acid (PLA) grades and co-polymers. As a result, the facility is expected to accelerate research, product development and technology validation.
From Research to Commercial Production
Furthermore, the facility will serve as an innovation platform for advancing PLA technology from laboratory and pilot-scale development to commercial production. It will enable BCML to:
Develop new PLA grades and co-polymers
Accelerate product development and testing
Support technology indigenisation
Conduct customer validation
Facilitate seamless scale-up to commercial production
By integrating R&D with its planned commercial manufacturing operations, BCML aims to shorten development timelines and strengthen its ability to respond to emerging demand for bio-based materials.
Strengthening India’s Bio-Based Materials Ecosystem
The ₹75 crore grant will support BCML’s efforts to develop indigenous PLA technologies and expand domestic manufacturing capabilities. Moreover, the integration of R&D and commercial-scale production could help create a stronger value chain for advanced bio-based materials in India. As reported by business-standard.com, the initiative therefore represents a step towards developing innovative PLA products, promoting biomanufacturing and supporting the broader growth of India’s bioeconomy.
