Context:
Recently, the Ministry of Science & Technology inaugurated India’s first ‘Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers’ by Praj Industries, showcasing indigenously developed Integrated Polylactic Acid (PLA) technology.
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- The state-of-the-art facility features sections for fermentation, chemical synthesis, separation, and purification.
- The facility showcases production capacities of 100 tonnes per annum (TPA) for Lactic Acid and 60 TPA for Lactide, equivalent to 55 TPA for PLA.
- The Praj industry is aligning with the recently announced BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment), and BioRIDE scheme.
- It will help India become a global biomanufacturing hub for bioplastics, supporting the dual goals of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India.’
What is Polylactic Acid (PLA)?
- PLA is a natural polymer developed to substitute widely used petroleum-based plastics like PET (polyethene terephthalate).
- PLA is the second most produced bioplastic (after thermoplastic starch) and has similar characteristics to polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polystyrene (PS), as well as being biodegradable.
Benefits of PLA:
- Health Impact: PLA is a safer, sustainable alternative that breaks down into biogenic CO2 and water, free from harmful additives. Unlike traditional fossil-fuel plastics, it does not contribute to microplastic pollution or pose risks to human health.
- Eco-Friendly: Made from plant-based materials, PLA reduces reliance on finite resources and lowers carbon footprints compared to fossil plastics.
- Compostability: PLA is industrially compostable, breaking down into harmless components and promoting a cleaner environment.
- Versatile Applications: PLA can be processed and blended with other copolymers, making it suitable for a diverse range of applications, from packaging to textiles.
India in Biotech
- India ranks 12th in the world in biotech and 3rd in Asia-Pacific, holding approximately 3% of the worldwide biotechnology market.
- India is the largest vaccine manufacturer and the 3rd largest Startup ecosystem.
- India is the second-largest producer of BT cotton and the third-largest producer of the recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine.
- India’s bio-economy is estimated to reach $130 billion in 2024, projected to grow to $300 billion by 2030.
- The Biotech Startups have experienced remarkable growth, increasing from just about 50 in 2014 to over 8,500 in 2023.
The emphasis on Green Growth in the Union Budget (2023-2024):
- Prime Minister’s vision to make India a ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy and ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)’ launched in October 2022.