India's first large-scale biopolymer plant, established at an investment of ₹3,080 crore in the Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh, is likely to become operational in October, according to government officials.
Kheri District Magistrate Anjani Kumar Singh visited the construction site on Thursday to review the progress of the facility ahead of its proposed launch later this year. During the inspection, plant officials delivered a presentation detailing the facility's layout and various stages of production.
The project integrates the entire manufacturing lifecycle within a single campus. According to district officials, the process begins with locally grown sugarcane, which is converted into sugar and subsequently processed into Polylactic Acid (PLA)-based bioplastic.
District Magistrate Singh noted that the pioneering project aims to contribute to the region's agriculture-based industrial development while supporting sustainable and eco-friendly industrial growth.
A notable technical feature of the facility is its Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system. Officials stated that the system is designed to prevent the discharge of harmful liquid waste into local rivers and drains.
The foundation stone for the plant was laid on February 22, 2025, by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Kumbhi sugar unit of Balrampur Chini Mills located in Gola Gokarannath. At the foundation-laying event, Chief Minister Adityanath highlighted that the project is expected to promote environment-friendly products and generate employment opportunities for local youth.
"The launch of India's first large-scale biopolymer plant represents a significant convergence of agriculture and sustainable manufacturing. With a substantial capital investment of ₹3,080 crore and an integrated single-campus model, this initiative highlights how traditional sectors like sugar manufacturing can pivot toward high-value, eco-friendly products such as PLA-based bioplastics. Incorporating a Zero Liquid Discharge system also demonstrates the increasing importance of environmental compliance in industrial scaling. This development sets a strong precedent for regional industrial growth driven by local raw material ecosystems." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
