Asia’s First Bio-Bitumen Highway: Paving the Way for Greener Roads

WPB: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has officially launched a 1-kilometer stretch of Asia’s inaugural highway constructed with a bio-bitumen surface. This trial segment is located near the “Kamptee 22Km” milestone along the Jabalpur-Nagpur route.

This innovative project is expected to address the issue of air pollution caused by stubble burning. Bio-bitumen is derived from crop residue, offering farmers an alternative to burning stubble by selling it instead. Gadkari referred to this as his “dream project” and expressed optimism that widespread adoption of the technology could significantly mitigate air pollution. He noted that in states like Punjab and Haryana, stubble is already fetching around ₹2,500 per tonne. By replacing 15% of conventional bitumen, the bio-bitumen is anticipated to lower road construction costs.

Initial estimates suggest that bio-bitumen could reduce India’s petroleum bitumen imports by at least ₹4,500 crore annually. Additionally, the mixture includes 10% rubber powder, further cutting down the reliance on petroleum-based bitumen. However, the true effectiveness of this technology will be evaluated over the next two years. The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), a government entity, will monitor the road’s performance under heavy traffic and varying weather conditions. According to a CRRI scientist, the road’s success will depend on whether its deflection remains below 0.4mm during this testing phase.

After thorough evaluation, CRRI will present a report on the road’s durability based on the bio-bitumen blend. Gadkari stated that following the report’s approval, bitumen manufacturers would be directed to establish policies for purchasing lignin for blending. At present, a 40-grade bio-bitumen, which is stronger than traditional alternatives, has been developed. Gadkari sees this as a crucial step toward making farmers a key source of raw materials for bitumen production.

The bio-bitumen utilized in this project was developed by Praj Industries, a private industrial biotechnology company, in collaboration with CRRI. This pilot project on the Jabalpur highway follows the success of a prior experiment conducted on a service road in Halol, Gujarat. That road endured 2.5 years and three monsoon seasons, with performance results showing it to be 40% stronger than conventional bitumen, according to company officials.

The process of creating bio-bitumen involves several stages. Crop stubble is first converted into ethanol and compressed biogas (CBG), generating lignin as a byproduct. Lignin is then processed into bio-bitumen, which is blended with conventional bitumen. Praj’s technology has made it possible to incorporate up to 15% bio-bitumen into the mix.

Gadkari revealed that 400 CBG projects are currently under development across India, which will increase the demand for biomass, including crop residue. The production of CBG from biomass will also generate lignin, which can then be refined to produce bio-bitumen. He highlighted that various feedstocks, such as rice straw and bamboo, can be utilized in this process.

India’s annual bitumen demand stands at ₹90,000 crore, with ₹50,000 crore worth of bitumen being imported. Gadkari emphasized that producing bio-bitumen from lignin could not only reduce dependency on imports but also lower costs by ₹8 per kilogram. Additionally, the incorporation of rubber powder into the mix is expected to bolster the rubber industry.

By WPB

Bitumen, Bio-bitumen, Road, India