Sugar company Balrampur Chini Mills has announced the approval of a ₹75-crore grant from the Centre to set up a pilot research facility for bio-plastic poly lactic acid (PLA) and co-polymer products in Uttar Pradesh. The R&D plant, to be located at Kumbhi with a capacity of 100 tonnes per annum, will be established at a total cost of ₹110 crore, the company said.

The Central grant has been provided by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

The PLA co-polymer R&D facility, under the government’s flagship BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment) initiative, will aid India’s indigenous biomanufacturing capabilities.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, while releasing the grant, said that the proposed plant would lead to the development of PLA and co-polymer products, contributing to the transition towards sustainable manufacturing, according to a company statement. He emphasised the need to convert waste into wealth while stressing the need to create mass awareness about such products.

The company is also setting up an 80,000-tonne-per-annum capacity integrated commercial PLA manufacturing facility with an investment of ₹3,000 crore, which will be the first in India, at the same place where the R&D facility will be housed.

Avantika Saraogi, Executive Director, Balrampur Chini Mills, said: “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.”

Published on September 24, 2026