Praj Industries, a leading name in industrial biotechnology, has inaugurated India’s first sustainable road using lignin-based biobitumen. The landmark project, located at the Nagpur-Mansar Bypass on NH 44, was unveiled by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. This eco-friendly innovation represents a significant step towards reducing dependence on fossil-derived bitumen, marking the construction of the country’s first national highway incorporating this green technology.

Praj’s proprietary technology converts crude lignin into Lignin Bio-Bitumen, a sustainable alternative to fossil-based bitumen. This advanced material, capable of blending up to 15 per cent, offers remarkable benefits, including a 70 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

To achieve 15 per cent blending with conventional bitumen, India would require approximately 15 lakh tons of bio-bitumen. This adoption could save the nation ₹4,000-4,500 crore in foreign exchange, presenting a transformative solution for eco-friendly and sustainable road infrastructure development.

Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, congratulated Praj on the successful development of this technology saying, “The biobitumen used in this project, developed by Praj Industries in collaboration with CSIR-CRRI, is a significant step toward sustainability. It reduces our dependency on imported bitumen and provides an innovative solution by turning agricultural waste into a valuable resource.” He also expressed that in the future, our farmers will not only be food providers but also energy providers, producing biohydrogen and contributing to a cleaner and greener India. 

Collaborative project

In a collaborative project with CSIR- Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), Praj tested the lignin based bio-bitumen sample for application studies, successfully replacing up to 15 per cent of bitumen. Praj laid a service road in Halol, Gujarat using Lignin Bio Bitumen as one of the components. After 2.5 years and 3 monsoon seasons, CSIR-CRRI conducted the performance evaluation, and the results were found satisfactory with no signs of distress on the road. This success was one of the key factors in building the Nagpur-Mansar project.

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman, Praj Industries said, “The inauguration of India’s first sustainable road using a lignin-based bio-bitumen is a proud moment for Praj Industries and a testament to India’s commitment towards a greener and self-reliant future. This innovative lignin-based bio-bitumen, developed under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, not only replaces fossil-based bitumen but also helps save significant foreign exchange, strengthening our nation’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat”

Bitumen, a black viscous mixture of hydrocarbons produced by fractionating crude oil, is a crucial binder in road construction. However, this product’s rapid consumption and future demand require a sustainable solution to attain the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. According to oil ministry data, India’s bitumen consumption in 2023-24 was 88 lakh tons and expected to rise to 100 lakh tons in 2024-25. About 50 per cent of this bitumen is imported, incurring an annual import cost of ₹25,000-30,000 crore for the country.