CSIR Unveils Indigenous Bio-Bitumen Technology to Turn Farm Waste into Sustainable Road Material

In a development that links agriculture, clean technology and infrastructure, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has transferred an indigenous bio-bitumen technology designed to convert farm residue into a sustainable alternative for road construction. The technology, titled “Bio-Bitumen from Lignocellulosic Biomass – From Farm Residue to Roads,” was showcased at a Technology Transfer Event in New Delhi on March 30, 2026, with the aim of enabling large-scale industry adoption. It was jointly developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP).

The innovation is being seen as an important step in India’s broader push toward circular infrastructure and cleaner industrial practices. According to the official release, the bio-bitumen is produced from agricultural biomass and crop residue through a thermochemical conversion process, creating a renewable substitute for conventional petroleum-based bitumen. The technology is intended not only to reduce dependence on fossil-derived road materials, but also to address two persistent challenges at once: the burning of agricultural waste and the country’s reliance on imported bitumen.

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who attended the event, described the development as a “historic and transformative step” linking agriculture with infrastructure and innovation. He said the use of farm residue in high-value infrastructure applications could create additional income opportunities for farmers while helping curb stubble burning and the environmental pollution associated with it. The minister also said the initiative aligns with India’s climate goals, Net Zero ambitions, Atmanirbhar Bharat, the National Bio-Energy Mission and wider circular economy efforts.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh said the initiative reflects India’s emphasis on self-reliance, clean energy transition and the “Waste to Wealth” approach. He noted that the technology represents convergence across agriculture, science, technology and infrastructure, backed by public-private collaboration. He also said the bio-bitumen has shown promising results in durability, compatibility with conventional bitumen and reduction of carbon footprint, making it suitable for possible large-scale use in national highway projects.

CSIR Director General and DSIR Secretary Dr. N. Kalaiselvi described the technology as part of a larger shift from petro-based materials to bio-based alternatives. The official release said the event brought together senior officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Road Transport and Highways, along with CSIR leadership, scientists, industry representatives, farmers and policymakers, underlining the effort to move the innovation from the laboratory into practical deployment in India’s road sector.

What makes the development particularly significant is that it places agricultural residue in a far more productive economic chain. Instead of being treated as a disposal problem, crop waste can now potentially serve as feedstock for road-building material with environmental and commercial value. If adopted at scale, the technology could help create a cleaner and more diversified supply base for road construction while also supporting rural income and reducing the ecological damage caused by open-field residue burning.

Source: PIB