Page 138 - CW E-Magazine (7-1-2025)

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LIGNIN UTILISATION

Praj Industries’ biobitumen used in constructing India’s

‘fi rst sustainable road’

Pune based industrial biotechno-
logy fi rm, Praj Industries, said its
lignin-based biobitumen has been used
in constructing “India’s fi rst sustainable
road” The landmark project, located at
the Nagpur-Mansar Bypass on national
highway (NH) 44, was unveiled by
Union Minister of Road Transport and
Highways, Mr. Nitin Gadkari.

Bitumen, a black viscous mixture
of hydrocarbons produced by fractio-
nating crude oil, is a crucial binder
in road construction. According
to oil ministry data, India’s bitumen
consumption in 2023-24 was 8.8-mt Commenting on the occasion, CSIR-CRRI, Praj tested the lignin-
and expected to rise to 10.0-mt in Mr. Gadkari said, “The biobitumen used based bio-bitumen sample for applica-
2024-25. About 50% of this bitumen is in this project, developed by Praj Indus- tion studies, successfully replacing up
imported, incurring an annual import tries in collaboration with CSIR-Cen- to 15% of bitumen. Praj laid a service
cost of Rs. 25,000-30,000-crore for tral Road Research Institute (CRRI), is road in Halol, Gujarat using lignin bio-
the country. a signifi cant step towards sustainability. bitumen as one of the components.
It reduces our dependency on imported After 30 months and three monsoon
Praj said the eco-friendly innovation bitumen and provides an innovative seasons, CSIR-CRRI conducted a per-
represents a signifi cant step towards solution by turning agricultural waste formance evaluation, and the results
reducing dependence on fossil-derived into a valuable resource.” were found satisfactory with no signs
bitumen, marking the construction of of distress on the road. This success
the country’s fi rst national highway Collaborative project was one of the key factors in building
incorporating this green technology. In a collaborative project with the Nagpur-Mansar project.

The company’s proprietary techno- Adani Enterprises to fully exit Adani
logy converts crude lignin into lignin
bio-bitumen, a sustainable alternative Wilmar joint venture
to fossil-based bitumen. This material,
capable of blending up to 15%, offers Adani Enterprises Ltd. (AEL) said ment signed on December 30, 2024,
remarkable benefi ts, including a 70% that it will fully exit its consumer the company informed the exchanges
reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) goods joint venture with Wilmar that Lence Pte. Ltd. will acquire up
emissions compared to the fossil-based International, Adani Wilmar, wherein to 31.06% of Adani Wilmar’s equity
alternative. it holds a 44% stake. shares held by Adani Commodities LLP
(ACL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
India would require around 1.5-mt The exit will take place in two phases AEL. The transfer will be done through
of bio-bitumen to achieve 15% blend- with the fi rst being a stake sale to a call or put option mechanism. Addi-
ing with conventional bitumen. Accor- Wilmar International’s wholly-owned tionally, Adani Enterprises will divest
ding to Praj, this investment could help subsidiary, Lence Pte. Ltd., and a partial approximately 13% of its shares in Adani
save Rs. 4,000-4,500-crores on foreign divestment to meet public sharehold- Wilmar to ensure compliance with the
exchange. ing requirements. As part of the agree- minimum public shareholding norms.

138 Chemical Weekly January 7, 2025

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