In a major boost to sustainable and circular infrastructure development, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has facilitated the transfer of its homegrown bio-bitumen technology to industry for commercial-scale deployment. The technology, titled “Bio-Bitumen from Lignocellulosic Biomass – From Farm Residue to Roads,” has been jointly developed by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) for use in road construction under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
The innovation enables the production of bio-bitumen using agricultural residues, offering a renewable and lower-carbon substitute for conventional petroleum-based bitumen. By converting farm waste into a valuable infrastructure material, the technology addresses two pressing national challenges air pollution caused by stubble burning and India’s growing reliance on imported bitumen for road development.
Addressing the technology transfer ceremony, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, described bio-bitumen as a critical enabler of the country’s long-term development goals. He highlighted that blending bio-bitumen at 15 per cent levels could help India save nearly ₹4,500 crore in foreign exchange while significantly reducing crude oil imports. The initiative also supports the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by linking agricultural waste management with sustainable infrastructure growth.
Officials noted that the adoption of bio-bitumen aligns with India’s climate action commitments, Net Zero targets, and key national programmes such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, the National Bio-Energy Mission, and the promotion of a circular economy. Beyond environmental benefits, the technology opens up new income streams for farmers by creating demand for crop residues that are otherwise burned, contributing to improved air quality and rural livelihoods.
Performance evaluations of the bio-bitumen have indicated encouraging results in terms of durability, compatibility with conventional bitumen, and a lower overall carbon footprint. These attributes make it suitable for large-scale application, particularly in national highway and major road projects.
CSIR has reiterated its intent to work closely with MoRTH on field trials, standardisation, and skill development to ensure seamless adoption across the road construction ecosystem. The technology transfer event was attended by senior officials from MoRTH, CSIR leadership, scientists, industry representatives, and policymakers, marking a key step in translating indigenous research into deployable, on-ground solutions for India’s expanding road network.
