Is it as strong as normal bitumen?

Field pilots in India show comparable binding and monsoon durability at blended ratios; full-replacement grades are advancing through R&D.

What raw materials are used?

Lignin, rice/wheat straw, sugarcane and other lignocellulosic agricultural residues.

Biomass is pyrolysed into bio-oil, which is refined and formulated into a road binder.

Is it approved for highways in India?

Yes — a bio-bitumen stretch is already laid on NH-44, and MoRTH/NHAI actively promote green binders.

How much conventional bitumen can it replace?

Commonly up to about 15% today, with higher replacement being trialled.

Is it cheaper than imported bitumen?

It reduces dependence on imported crude/bitumen and can lower lifecycle cost, especially where feedstock is local and cheap.

Is it environment friendly?

Yes — lower GHG emissions and productive use of crop residue instead of burning it.

Who buys bio-bitumen?

NHAI/state PWD contractors, road developers, and infrastructure companies pursuing sustainability targets.

Can you set up a bio-bitumen plant for me?

Yes — as PMC we handle feasibility, technology selection, feedstock tie-up, plant setup, approvals and offtake/marketing.

Bio-Bitumen Plant — PMC India

Farm fields supplying agro-waste biomass

Product · YUGA PMC

Pyrolysis-based renewable binder for sustainable roads

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Overview

Bio-bitumen is an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum bitumen, produced by converting biomass and agricultural residues (rice straw, lignin, crop waste) into bio-oil through pyrolysis. It can partially or fully replace conventional bitumen in road construction.

India became the first country to commercially produce bio-bitumen, with CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP developing the indigenous technology and the first bio-bitumen National Highway stretch laid on NH-44 near Nagpur.

Why this business

Reduces import dependence — India imports ~50% of its bitumen; bio-bitumen cuts this and saves foreign exchange
Lower emissions — up to ~70% lower greenhouse-gas footprint than fossil bitumen
Circular economy — uses crop residue, helping reduce stubble burning
Comparable performance — field trials show good monsoon durability and binding strength
Government push — strongly supported by MoRTH / NHAI for green highways

Demand

Bituminous wearing and binder courses on highways and rural roads
Blending (typically up to 15%) with conventional bitumen
Green / sustainable infrastructure and carbon-credit linked projects
Premix carpet, surface dressing and patch-repair mixes

Technical

FeedstockLignin, rice straw, agro-residue, biomass

ProcessPyrolysis → bio-oil → binder formulation

Typical blendUp to 15% replacement (rising with R&D)

Reference workCSIR-CRRI / CSIR-IIP; NH-44 pilot

GHG savingUp to ~70% vs conventional bitumen

Setup

Capacity to showPilot 5–10 TPD biomass input; Commercial 20–50 TPD

Area required10 TPD: 1.5–3 acres; 20–50 TPD: 4–8 acres (biomass yard, drying, pyrolysis block, blending/tank farm, lab, green belt, fire movement)

Approx. cost (without land)10 TPD ₹6–10 Cr; 20–50 TPD ₹15–35 Cr (depends on tech licence, upgrading, tank farm, road-testing scope)

UtilitiesPower, thermic oil/heating fuel, cooling water, compressed air, fire water, biomass handling

ApprovalsTechnology licence, SPCB CTE/CTO, factory licence, fire NOC, thermic-fluid safety, MoRTH/IRC/BIS compliance

Best-use statesPunjab, Haryana, UP, MP, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra (agro-residue + road demand)

Weighbridge & biomass receiving yardBale opener, conveyor, magnetic separator, dust collectionChipper/shredder/cutterDryer / moisture-control systemPelletizer/briquetting or controlled feedingBiomass pyrolysis reactor with feeder & dischargeCyclone, condenser train, bio-oil tank, gas handlingBio-oil upgrading / chemical processing systemBitumen melting & storage tanksBio-binder blending tanks with agitatorThermic-fluid heater/boiler & utilitiesAir-pollution-control system, stack, safety systemsRoad-material laboratory & QC instruments

Feedstock & Output

Per 10 TPD biomass input

Input

Biomass / agro-residue

10 tonnes/day

Power & thermic fuel

as required

Output

Bio-oil

~2–2.5 tonnes/day (20–25% yield)

Bio-binder (blended)

~3–4 tonnes/day

Bio-char

~3–3.5 tonnes/day

Gas (reused)

~10–20%

Quality & Compliance

IS (BIS)

Under standardisation (follows VG-bitumen IS 73 base; CSIR-CRRI tech)

ASTM

ASTM D8 (bituminous terminology); D6373 (PG binder) where applied

MSDS / SDS

MSDS/SDS required for bio-oil & binder (flammable, hot-material handling)

Investment & Returns

Indicative for an emerging commercial-scale bio-bitumen / bio-oil unit.

Bio-Bitumen

Cost & ROI

Investment (CAPEX)

₹6–10 Cr

Output / year

900–1,500 MT bio-binder/yr

Revenue / year

₹6–15 Cr

Profit / year

₹1–4 Cr

Land required

1.5–3 acres

Payback

3–5 yr

Indicative only — actual figures depend on capacity, location, raw-material price and utilisation. Contact us for an exact DPR.

Project investment (CAPEX)₹6 crore – ₹35 crore (10–50 TPD, integrated biomass→bio-binder; a basic bio-oil/biochar unit is lower, ~₹3–3.6 Cr at 10 TPD)

Capacity basisBiomass/agro-residue processing unit

Approx. annual revenue₹6 crore – ₹30 crore

Approx. gross profit (GP) margin20% – 30%

Approx. net profit / year₹1 crore – ₹5 crore

Approx. payback period3 – 5 years

Where to build

Punjab, Haryana, UP, MP, Maharashtra

Abundant crop residue feedstock; tackles stubble burning; NHAI green-highway push.

Questions

A binder made from biomass/agro-waste bio-oil (via pyrolysis) that replaces part or all of petroleum bitumen in road mixes.