CSIR Institutes Develop Indigenous Bio-Bitumen from Rice Straw to Tackle Stubble Burning and Reduce Imports
In a significant breakthrough for sustainable infrastructure and agricultural waste management, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) constituents, the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), have jointly developed an indigenous technology to produce bio-bitumen from agricultural residue, primarily rice straw. This innovation addresses the dual challenges of stubble burning and reliance on imported petroleum-based bitumen, offering a promising solution for India's road construction sector.
How the Technology Works: From Crop Residue to Road Binder
The process involves converting crop residue into bio-oil through pyrolysis, a thermal decomposition method that breaks down organic material in the absence of oxygen. This bio-oil is then upgraded through chemical processing and blended or modified to create a bio-binder suitable for use in bituminous roads. The technology has been transferred to 14 industries for commercial manufacturing and scale-up, with one from Punjab and two from Haryana, reflecting regional involvement in this green initiative.
Government Endorsement and Economic Benefits
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, highlighted the potential of this bio-bitumen in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. He stated that studies and pilot-scale evaluations indicate bio-bitumen can replace up to 30% of conventional petroleum-based bitumen without compromising pavement performance. Even at a conservative blending level of 15%, adoption across road projects is estimated to result in foreign exchange savings of Rs 4,000 crore per annum by reducing petro-bitumen imports.
Addressing Punjab's Stubble Burning Crisis
Punjab faces a major issue every paddy harvesting season with the management of stubble, as nearly 20 million tonnes of crop residue are generated, and a significant portion is burnt. This practice has been linked to worsening air quality in the Delhi NCR region at the onset of winter. The development of bio-bitumen from rice straw offers a viable alternative, turning agricultural waste into a valuable resource for road construction, thereby mitigating environmental pollution and promoting rural waste utilisation.
Broader Impacts and Future Prospects
The adoption of bio-bitumen is expected to have multiple positive impacts, including cost reduction, import substitution, lower carbon emissions, and enhanced utilisation of agricultural waste. By partially replacing imported petroleum bitumen with domestically produced bio-binder, India can reduce its dependency on foreign imports, strengthen its economy, and contribute to sustainable development goals. This innovation aligns with national efforts to promote indigenous technologies and address pressing environmental issues.
