Balrampur Chini Mills (BCML), one of India’s largest integrated sugar manufacturers, has decided to increase the capacity of its upcoming polylactic acid (PLA) plant in Uttar Pradesh from 75,000 tonne per annum (TPA) to 80,000 TPA.

The company's board has approved higher capacity, whwrein this expansion has raised the gross capital expenditure for the project from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 2,850 crore. The net capital expenditure will amount to Rs 1,750 crore after considering an expected capital subsidy of Rs 1,100 crore under the Uttar Pradesh government’s bioplastic policy. The funding for the project will include Rs 1,650 crore in debt and Rs 1,200 crore from internal accruals.

Chairman and Managing Director of BCML, Vivek Saraogi confirmed that the PLA project is progressing as scheduled.

Executive Director, Avantika Saraogi highlighted the project’s innovative approach. “The PLA biopolymer plant sets two global benchmarks — the first to produce PLA from sugarcane at the same manufacturing site and the first PLA plant to operate on 100% renewable energy,” she said. “With cutting-edge technology and industry-leading partners, we aim to lead India’s biopolymer revolution and become the market leader.”