Balrampur Chini Mills spearheads India’s first bioplastics plant with global technological partnerships

In an unprecedented move toward sustainability, Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML) has announced strategic agreements with three technology giants: Sulzer AG, Alpine Engineering GmbH, and Jacobs Solutions India Private Limited, marking the dawn of India’s first bioplastics plant. With a robust deal highlighting the production capabilities of 75,000 tonnes of compostable and fully recyclable bioplastic annually, the initiative stands as a testament to BCML’s commitment to India’s sustainability objectives. This bioplastics facility, leveraging sugar cane as its primary feedstock, aims to significantly reduce plastic pollution by offering a greener alternative to traditional plastics.

Swiss-based Sulzer AG is set to provide cutting-edge polylactic acid (PLA) production technologies, encompassing manufacturing processes from lactide synthesis to polymerization. This collaboration is pivotal, given Sulzer’s global leadership and vast experience in the bioplastics sector, backed by an extensive network of over 160 facilities worldwide.

Parallelly, BCML’s partnership with Alpine Engineering GmbH focuses on the provision of technology and technical advisory for producing PLA grade Lactic acid. Alpine’s expertise in fermentation technology, alongside advanced distillation and purification processes, is crucial for laying the foundation for PLA production. With more than three decades of experience in biotechnological processes, Alpine’s role is instrumental in the project’s success.

The agreement with Jacobs Solutions India Private Limited, a subsidiary of the American firm Jacobs Solutions Inc., covers Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management (EPCM) services for the bioplastics plant. Jacobs brings to the table its extensive experience in EPCM projects, alongside a broad spectrum of consulting and technical services, ensuring the seamless integration of lactic acid and polylactic acid production facilities.

Vivek Saraogi, Chairman & Managing Director of BCML, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “It is our absolute pleasure to join forces with these new tech partners, putting our collective knowledge & expertise together to shape the next generation of innovative & sustainable solutions. This venture is our dream project, and we intend to provide unmatched technological support to build it from scratch.”

Stefan Barot, President of the Chemical Division at BCML, highlighted the significance of these collaborations, noting, “Together with Sulzer, Alpine, and Jacobs, BCML brings the ‘globally first sugar cane to PLA factory’ at one site – to India. This alliance marks a significant milestone in BCML’s journey towards sustainable innovation.”

This development not only underscores BCML’s leadership in sustainable innovation but also positions India at the forefront of the global movement towards environmental sustainability. With these strategic partnerships, BCML is set to drive significant advancements in the bioplastics space, offering a promising alternative to combat plastic pollution and foster a greener future.

The establishment of India’s first bioplastics plant by Balrampur Chini Mills Limited, in collaboration with Sulzer AG, Alpine Engineering GmbH, and Jacobs Solutions India, represents a landmark achievement in the field of sustainable materials. This initiative not only demonstrates BCML’s commitment to environmental sustainability but also sets a precedent for the global industry. The use of sugar cane as a feedstock for PLA production is a brilliant example of innovative, sustainable resource use, promising to significantly impact the reduction of plastic pollution worldwide. The collaborative approach with leading technology providers ensures the project’s success, leveraging the best-in-class technologies and expertise in the field.