The Government of India has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable infrastructure with the successful technology transfer of “Bio-Bitumen via Pyrolysis: From Farm Residue to Roads”. This innovative technology, developed by the CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), uses farm residue to produce bio-bitumen, a sustainable alternative to traditional bitumen used in road construction. The technology transfer ceremony was attended by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, who hailed the achievement as a landmark in India’s road construction history.
The new technology is expected to reduce costs, offer longer sustainable lifespans, and eliminate environmental hazards associated with conventional bitumen. The process involves collecting post-harvest rice straw, palletization, pyrolysis to produce bio-oil, and blending with conventional bitumen. Laboratory tests have confirmed that 20-30% of conventional bitumen can be safely replaced without compromising road performance. A 100-metre trial stretch of road using bio-bitumen has already been laid on the Jorabat-Shillong Expressway in Meghalaya, demonstrating field-level feasibility.
The technology has the potential to replace imported bitumen worth ₹25,000-30,000 crore annually, reducing India’s dependence on foreign imports. Dr. Singh emphasized that innovations like bio-bitumen demonstrate how scientific research can directly support national priorities such as cleanliness, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and economic self-reliance. The CSIR Director General, N Kalaiselvi, noted that India has become the first country to take bio-bitumen technology to industrial and commercial scale within a single year.
The technology transfer event showcased industrial-scale production of bio-bitumen via pyrolysis of farm residue, and several industries have been onboarded for commercial deployment. The event highlighted the strong collaboration between science, government, and industry, and reinforced India’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure, indigenous innovation, and a bio-driven economic future. The use of bio-bitumen is expected to position India on the path toward clean, green, and self-reliant highways.
The success of this technology is a result of the Whole-of-Science, Whole-of-Government, and Whole-of-Society approach envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for building a Viksit Bharat. The technology has the potential to generate multiple value streams, including bio-binder for roads, energy-efficient gas, bio-pesticide fractions, and high-grade carbon suitable for batteries, water purification, and advanced materials, making the process emission-free, cost-effective, and future-ready. Overall, the development and deployment of bio-bitumen technology is a significant step towards achieving sustainable infrastructure and reducing India’s dependence on fossil fuels.