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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.

• Prime Minister’s vision to make India a ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy and ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)’ launched in October 2022.