Balrampur Chini Mills (BCML), a major player in India’s sugar industry, has launched Balrampur Bioyug, the country’s first industrial-scale, fully integrated Polylactic Acid (PLA) biopolymer initiative. With an investment of Rs 2,850 crore in phases, the plant is expected to become operational by the end of 2026.

Located in Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh, adjacent to BCML’s existing sugar mill, the facility will produce 80,000 tonnes of PLA annually. Bioyug converts sugarcane derivatives into PLA through a circular, renewable energy-powered process, creating a 100 percent compostable, plant-based alternative to fossil-fuel plastics. “The Bioyug initiative is centred around a fully integrated facility that will convert sugarcane derivatives directly into PLA,” said Avantika Saraogi, Executive Director at BCML.

Positioned as a sustainable, “earth-to-earth” solution, Bioyug aligns with national missions like 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Viksit Bharat', and aims to redefine India’s green manufacturing landscape. It targets applications in packaging, food service, biomedical, textiles, and 3D printing, while replacing banned single-use plastics. BCML expects Bioyug to catalyse MSME participation in sustainable packaging and green innovation, offering direct value linkage to sugarcane farmers and helping position India in biopolymer technology.