New Delhi: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh formally launched the commercial use of bio-based biodegradable plastic developed from Polylactic Acid (PLA), marking a significant step towards sustainable manufacturing and reducing dependence on single-use plastics.
Addressing the collaborating partners, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the potential of technology and biotechnology to convert materials traditionally regarded as waste into valuable resources.
“In today’s world, there is no such thing as waste; materials described as waste often contain significant underlying value that can be unlocked through technology.”
He said India’s diverse experience in biological resources, recycling and biomass conversion provides the country with an opportunity to develop innovative solutions with wider global applications.
According to the Minister, the project demonstrates how indigenous scientific capabilities can be linked with industrial production to create high-value materials while simultaneously addressing environmental challenges.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said the initiative could contribute to India’s emergence as a global leader in the bioeconomy and help the country provide practical, technology-driven solutions to other nations.
He described the commercialisation of the PLA-based biodegradable plastic as an important milestone in India’s bioeconomy journey, demonstrating how biotechnology is moving beyond laboratory research towards commercial products and employment generation.
The Minister also highlighted the rapid expansion of India’s bioeconomy, stating that it has grown from around US$10 billion in 2014 to nearly US$195 billion, reflecting the increasing scale of biotechnology-led economic activity, particularly following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launch of the BioE3 Policy.