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Source– This post on India’s Bio-Bitumen Initiative has been created based on the article “On the way: Production of Bitumen using biomass” published in “Economic Times” on 20 June 2024.
Why in the news?
India is planning to initiate large-scale production of bio-bitumen derived from biomass or agricultural waste.
About India’s Bio-Bitumen Initiative
i) India is actively exploring large-scale production of bio-bitumen from biomass or agricultural waste.
ii) This innovative approach aims to reduce the country’s dependence on imported bitumen which is commonly used for road asphalting, while also addressing the persistent issue of stubble burning.
iii) India currently imports about half of its annual bitumen requirement. The goal is to replace these imports with bio-bitumen over the next decade.
About Bio-Bitumen
i) Bio-bitumen is a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-based bitumen. It is petroleum-free and manufactured from organic materials such as bio-char, bio-oil, and similar substances. It is also known as bio-asphalt.
ii) Bio-bitumen can be used to supplement bitumen or to reduce the amount of bitumen in binder mixtures.
How is Bio-Bitumen Made?
i) Bio-bitumen is an asphalt mixture made from lignins which are natural biopolymers found in the plant cell wall. Lignins provide structural support and aid in plant growth.
ii) The production process involves heating the waste mixture to around 500°C without oxygen in a process known as pyrolysis. This method is similar to the production of charcoal and biochar and is also used in biofuel manufacturing.
Benefits of Bio-Bitumen
i) Economic Impact: Bio-bitumen production from biomass could lead to substantial savings in foreign exchange by reducing the need for imports. It would also make India self-reliant in bio-bitumen production.
ii) Environmental Impact: This initiative provides an effective solution to the problem of stubble burning, promoting the sustainable use of agricultural waste and biomass.
UPSC Syllabus: Environment
