Praj Industries, a leading industrial biotech company in India, has unveiled the country’s first sustainable road constructed using lignin-based bio-bitumen. The project was inaugurated by Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Hon. Minister of Road Transport and Highways, as part of the Nagpur-Mansar Bypass on NH 44. This innovative, eco-friendly technology replaces a portion of fossil-derived bitumen and is being used for the first time on a national highway.
Praj’s cutting-edge technology converts crude lignin into Lignin Bio-Bitumen, offering a viable alternative to traditional fossil-based bitumen and paving the way for more sustainable infrastructure solutions. With the potential for up to 15% blending, this green construction material delivers a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional bitumen.
To meet the demand for 15% blending with conventional bitumen, India would need approximately 15 lakh tons of bio-bitumen. This advancement is expected to save the country ₹4,000-4,500 crore in foreign exchange, marking a significant step toward greener, more sustainable road development.
Commenting on this development, Shri. Nitin Gadkari, Hon. Minister of Road Transport and Highways, congratulated Praj on the successful development of this technology saying, “The bio- bitumen 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 bio- hydrogen and contributing to a cleaner and greener India.
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% 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.
Talking about this milestone, 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. We deeply thank the Hon. Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, for his visionary leadership and unwavering support in fostering sustainable infrastructure development. 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 remain dedicated to pioneering eco-friendly solutions contributing to nation-building and global climate goals.”
Bitumen, a black viscous mixture of hydrocarbons produced by fractionation of crude oil, serves as a crucial binder in road construction. However, the rapid consumption and future demand of this product requires 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. 50% of this bitumen is imported, incurring an annual import cost of ₹25,000- 30,000 crore for the country.
