CSIR transfers bio-bitumen technology that turns rice straw into road binder
CSIR transferred its 'Bio-Bitumen via Pyrolysis: From Farm Residue to Roads' technology, developed by CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP, at an event in New Delhi on 7 January 2026; it can replace 20–30% of conventional bitumen using bio-oil from rice straw.
Summary
The bio-bitumen technology 'Bio-Bitumen via Pyrolysis: From Farm Residue to Roads', developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (New Delhi) and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (Dehradun), was transferred to industry at an event in New Delhi on 7 January 2026 addressed by Science Minister Jitendra Singh. The process collects post-harvest rice straw, pelletises it, uses pyrolysis to make bio-oil and blends it with conventional bitumen; lab tests show 20–30% of bitumen can be replaced without loss of performance. India imports nearly 50% of its bitumen, and the shift could replace imports worth ₹25,000–30,000 crore a year. CSIR Director General N. Kalaiselvi said India is the first country to take bio-bitumen to industrial and commercial scale within the same year.
Key facts
- Technology
- Bio-Bitumen via Pyrolysis: From Farm Residue to Roads
- Developed by
- CSIR-CRRI (New Delhi) and CSIR-IIP (Dehradun)
- Process
- Rice straw → pellets → pyrolysis → bio-oil blended with bitumen
- Replacement
- 20–30% of conventional bitumen
- Imports
- ~50% of bitumen imported; ₹25,000–30,000 crore a year could be replaced
- Claim
- India first to take bio-bitumen to industrial/commercial scale in the same year
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which two CSIR laboratories developed the bio-bitumen technology transferred in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP
PIB (Science & Technology): the technology was developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun.
Consider the following statements about the CSIR bio-bitumen technology (January 2026): 1. It uses pyrolysis of post-harvest rice straw to produce bio-oil. 2. India imports about 80% of its bitumen requirement. 3. Laboratory validation shows 20–30% of conventional bitumen can be replaced. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Science & Technology): statements 1 and 3 are correct; India imports nearly 50% of its bitumen, not 80%.