New Delhi, Mar 30 (PTI) The CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), New Delhi, and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun, has developed a technology that can convert crop waste into bio-bitumen, which can help save Rs 40,000 crore on import bills annually for India, said Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Monday.
This technology, known as bio-bitumen from lignocellulosic biomass, utilises agricultural biomass, such as rice straw and other crop residues, as feedstock through a thermochemical (pyrolysis) process to produce a renewable binder.
It has already seen successful trial applications, including construction of road stretches, and is now moving towards large-scale deployment.
“Even partial substitution of conventional bitumen with bio-bitumen will significantly cut import dependence, strengthen economic resilience, and ensure that infrastructure development remains insulated from global supply disruptions,” said Singh.
Conventional bitumen, which is a byproduct of crude oil and contains a mixture of hydrocarbons, is used, for example, as a binder for road paving.
India consumes about 88 lakh tonnes of bitumen annually, nearly 50 per cent to 58 per cent of which is imported at a cost of Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore.
Also, the country produces nearly 600 million tonnes of crop residue annually, much of which is burnt, leading to severe air pollution.
“The bio-bitumen technology bridges both challenges simultaneously by converting agricultural waste into a valuable resource for road construction,” said Singh.
Bio-bitumen can replace up to 30 per cent of conventional bitumen without compromising performance and has demonstrated durability along with lower carbon emissions.
Singh made the comments during a technology transfer event organised by the CSIR for large-scale industry adoption of technology.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was also present at the event, said that the technology provided a practical and scalable solution to stubble burning while increasing farmers’ income and reducing environmental damage.
“In the current global scenario, self-reliance in critical sectors like infrastructure is essential, and innovations like bio-bitumen will play a crucial role in achieving that goal,” Chouhan added.
In her address, N Kalaiselvi, director general of CSIR, highlighted that within a short span, multiple industries have already taken it up, with production and field implementation underway.
The technology was first transferred to 14 companies in January this year, and on Monday, 10 more companies received it.
“The technology marks a paradigm shift from petro-based binders to sustainable bio-based alternatives’¦ The same agricultural biomass can also be utilised for applications such as pest management, advanced carbon materials, and energy storage, demonstrating its wide industrial potential,” added Kalaiselvi. PTI ALC NB NB
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