Nitin Gadkari inaugurates India’s First Lignin-Based Bio-Bitumen Road on Nagpur Mansar Highway
Nitin Gadkari inaugurates India’s First Lignin-Based Bio-Bitumen Road on Nagpur Mansar Highway
Praj Industries, a leading industrial biotech company in India, has announced the launch of the country’s first sustainable road constructed with lignin-based bio bitumen. This road was inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, as part of the Nagpur-Mansar Bypass project on NH 44. This innovative eco-friendly technology serves as a partial substitute for fossil-derived bitumen and is utilized to build the first national highway of its kind in the country.
Praj’s unique technology processes crude lignin into Lignin Bio-Bitumen, which has the potential to replace traditional fossil-based bitumen and provide sustainable options for the road infrastructure sector. This environmentally friendly construction material can be blended with up to 15% conventional bitumen, resulting in significant advantages, including a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to fossil-based alternatives. To achieve this 15% blending with conventional bitumen, India would need approximately 15 lakh tons of bio-bitumen. This initiative could save India around ₹4000-4500 crore in foreign exchange, representing a significant advancement toward sustainable and eco-friendly road infrastructure.
Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, praised Praj for their successful development of this technology. He stated, “The bio bitumen utilized in this project, created by Praj Industries in partnership with CSIR-CRRI, represents a significant advancement towards sustainability. It lessens our reliance on imported bitumen and offers an innovative way to convert agricultural waste into a valuable resource.” He further mentioned that in the future, farmers will not just provide food but will also serve as energy producers by generating biohydrogen, thereby helping to create a cleaner and greener India.
In a joint effort with CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), Praj tested a lignin-based bio-bitumen sample for practical applications, successfully substituting up to 15% of traditional bitumen. Praj constructed a service road in Halol, Gujarat, utilizing Lignin Bio Bitumen as one of its materials. After 2.5 years and three monsoon seasons, CSIR-CRRI performed a performance evaluation, and the results were satisfactory, showing no signs of distress on the road. This achievement was a significant factor in the development of the Nagpur-Mansar project.
Reflecting on this milestone, Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman of Praj Industries, stated, “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. As we look toward the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, we are also advancing our efforts in bio-hydrogen development, which holds immense potential to transform India’s energy landscape and contribute to a sustainable future.”
At Praj, we are committed to leading the way in developing eco-friendly solutions that support both nation-building and global climate objectives. Bitumen, a thick black mixture of hydrocarbons derived from crude oil, plays a vital role as a binder in road construction. However, the increasing consumption and anticipated future demand for this product necessitate a sustainable approach to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
According to data from the oil ministry, India’s consumption of bitumen reached 88 lakh tons in 2023-24 and is projected to grow to 100 lakh tons in 2024-25. Notably, 50% of this bitumen is imported, leading to an annual import expenditure of ₹25,000-30,000 crore for the country.
