India has marked a historic milestone in sustainable infrastructure with the successful technology transfer of “Bio-Bitumen via Pyrolysis: From Farm Residue to Roads”, an indigenous innovation developed by CSIR‑Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi, and CSIR‑Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), Dehradun.
This was announced today by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Vice-President of CSIR, Dr Jitendra Singh, during the Technology Transfer ceremony.
Calling the day a landmark in India’s road construction history, Dr Singh highlighted that highways in the country are now transitioning from fossil-fuel dependence to bio-driven, regenerative, and circular economy solutions. Roads built using this technology are expected to reduce costs, offer longer sustainable lifespans, and eliminate environmental hazards associated with conventional bitumen.
The Minister described the initiative as a Whole-of-Science, Whole-of-Government, and Whole-of-Society effort, embodying the Whole-of-Nation approach envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for building a Viksit Bharat. He emphasized that innovations like bio-bitumen demonstrate how scientific research can directly support national priorities such as cleanliness, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and economic self-reliance.
Highlighting CSIR’s efforts over the last decade, Dr Singh noted the organization’s focus on opening science to citizens, industry, and states, turning research into practical solutions. He pointed out that India currently imports nearly 50% of its bitumen requirement, and technologies like bio-bitumen can reduce foreign dependence while strengthening domestic capabilities.
The technology transfer event showcased industrial-scale production of bio-bitumen via pyrolysis of farm residue. The process involves collecting post-harvest rice straw, palletization, pyrolysis to produce bio-oil, and blending with conventional bitumen. Laboratory tests confirm that 20–30% of conventional bitumen can be safely replaced without compromising road performance, with extensive validation covering physical, rheological, chemical, and mechanical properties, including rutting, cracking, moisture damage, and resilient modulus.
A 100-metre trial stretch of road using bio-bitumen has already been laid on the Jorabat–Shillong Expressway (NH-40) in Meghalaya, demonstrating field-level feasibility. A patent has been filed for the technology, and several industries have been onboarded for commercial deployment.
Congratulating the CSIR teams, Dr Singh described bio-bitumen as a globally significant breakthrough, noting its potential to replace imported bitumen worth ₹25,000–30,000 crore annually. He stressed that region-specific, resource-based research and integration of proven technologies with economic viability and raw material availability are key for scaling up.
CSIR Director General N Kalaiselvi hailed the achievement as a proud moment for Indian science, noting that India has become the first country to take bio-bitumen technology to industrial and commercial scale within a single year. She highlighted that pyrolysis of biomass generates 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. She also proposed policy-level blending of bio-bitumen to enable nationwide deployment.
The ceremony was attended by senior leadership from CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP, former directors, scientists, industry partners, and media representatives, underscoring strong collaboration between science, government, and industry. The event reinforced India’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure, indigenous innovation, and a bio-driven economic future, positioning the nation on the path toward clean, green, and self-reliant highways.
(Source: PIB)
