Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd (BCML) board approved to enter a new line of business to manufacture Polylactic Acid (PLA), to be used for production of bioplastic.
BCML will construct a “state-of-the-art” PLA factory with a capacity at “global” scale of 75’000 t/a. The new plant will be located on a “greenfield site” beside company’s one of existing sugar plants where lot of the local infrastructure already exists which can be used to accelerate the plant construction. Raw material for PLA production is sugar. Proximity to BCML existing unit will be a big advantage with respect to continuous availability of sugar and bagasse (energy) for the project. Since it will be the first industrial bio-plastic plant in India it will also send a very strong signal to Indian policymakers and the market. The project is expected to be completed within 30 months.
Company said that this strategic shift is reflected in our engagement with Polylactic Acid (PLA) and bioplastics using sugar as a raw material. Recognizing a unique opportunity, PLA offers dual benefits as a bio-based and biodegradable1 material, presenting a sustainable substitute for conventional plastics in various applications. This aligns seamlessly with our commitment to environmentally conscious practices and synergizes with our existing business model, contributing to a more sustainable and responsible approach to manufacturing.
Recently, company acquired a minority stake in Konkan Speciality Polyproducts Private Limited (Konspec) to bolster the market presence of PLA (Polylactic Acid) in the country. Konspec stands out as a prominent player in the realm of specialty polymers & bio-polymers, intermediaries, and chemicals. Notably, Konspec is a key user and facilitator of PLA in India, where PLA is predominantly utilized as a compound.
