Praj Industries, a pioneer in industrial biotechnology, has unveiled India’s first national highway built with lignin-based bio-bitumen, an eco-friendly alternative to fossil-derived bitumen. Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, inaugurated the road at the Nagpur-Mansar Bypass on NH 44, marking a significant milestone in sustainable infrastructure.
Praj’s proprietary technology transforms crude lignin into Lignin Bio-Bitumen, offering a greener alternative to traditional materials with a blending capacity of up to 15%. This innovation reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 70% compared to fossil-based bitumen. India’s adoption of bio-bitumen could save ₹4,000–4,500 crore annually in foreign exchange while advancing sustainable road infrastructure.
Shri Gadkari lauded the achievement, stating, “The bio-bitumen developed by Praj Industries in collaboration with CSIR-CRRI is a game-changer, reducing dependency on imports and transforming agricultural waste into valuable resources. In the future, our farmers will play a vital role not just as food providers but as energy producers, contributing to a greener India.”
Praj’s collaboration with CSIR-CRRI demonstrated the viability of lignin-based bio-bitumen in road construction. Following successful testing in Gujarat, where the material endured over two years and three monsoons without distress, the Nagpur-Mansar project was initiated.
Dr Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman of Praj Industries, highlighted the importance of this breakthrough, saying, “This sustainable road represents India’s commitment to a self-reliant, greener future under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. By replacing fossil-based bitumen, we strengthen our vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and save valuable foreign exchange. We are also advancing efforts in bio-hydrogen development to transform India’s energy landscape.”
Bitumen, a key material in road construction, is largely imported to meet India’s growing demand, which is projected to rise from 88 lakh tons in 2023-24 to 100 lakh tons in 2024-25, incurring annual costs of ₹25,000–30,000 crore. Praj’s innovation addresses this challenge while aligning with the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.”
With over 40 years of expertise, Praj Industries is a global leader in sustainable solutions across bio-energy, renewable chemicals, and advanced engineering. Through its Bio-Mobility® and Bio-Prism® platforms, Praj drives decarbonization and circular bioeconomy initiatives, contributing to both national and global climate goals.
