Strategic Initiative: PLA Co-Polymer R&D Facility Grant
Grant Details
Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) has been awarded ₹75 crore in grant assistance by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. The grant is provided under the Government's flagship BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment) initiative.
Facility Specifications
The grant will fund the establishment of a 100 TPA (Tons Per Annum) PLA Co-Polymer R&D Facility. This will be India's first PLA Co-Polymer R&D Facility. The pilot-scale facility will be established at BCML's integrated manufacturing complex in Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh.
Strategic Objectives
The facility is designed to:
- Develop specialised PLA grades and advanced PLA co-polymers for high-value applications
- Generate techno-economic data and process know-how for commercial-scale manufacturing
- Train highly skilled talent for India's emerging biomanufacturing sector
- Enable collaboration with industry and research institutions to accelerate innovation in sustainable materials
- Bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial manufacturing
Operational Function
The facility will serve as an innovation engine for:
- Developing next-generation PLA grades and Co-polymers
- Enabling rapid product development and technology indigenisation
- Customer validation and pilot sample production
- Seamless scale-up to commercial production
- Supporting every stage of product development from customer requirements to commercial manufacturing preparation
Context and Integration
This R&D facility complements BCML's ongoing project to set up India's first integrated commercial PLA manufacturing facility with 80,000 TPA capacity at the same Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh location. The company described this as contributing to India's ambition to emerge as a global bioeconomy powerhouse.
Management Commentary
Avantika Saraogi, Executive Director of Balrampur Chini Mills Limited, stated: "The Government of India's support through this ₹75 crore BioE3 grant is a strong endorsement of the strategic role that advanced biomanufacturing will play in India's future. This facility will help build indigenous technology, develop next-generation bio-based materials and create the scientific and technical capabilities required for India to lead the global transition towards sustainable manufacturing."
Broader Impact
The facility is expected to:
- Strengthen India's innovation ecosystem
- Accelerate commercialization of advanced biopolymers
- Position India as a global hub for sustainable materials
- Support India's transition toward bio-based materials and circular manufacturing practices
- Create opportunities for collaboration with academia and research institutions through a limited-service model
Company Background
Balrampur Chini Mills Limited is one of the largest integrated sugar companies in India with ten sugar factories in Uttar Pradesh having aggregate sugarcane crushing capacity of 80,000 TCD. The company has distillery operations of 1050 KLPD and co-generation operations of 175.7 MW (saleable).