Aug 21: A major step towards sustainable manufacturing is taking shape in Uttar Pradesh, where India’s first large-scale biopolymer plant is expected to begin operations in October. The facility in Lakhimpur Kheri is being developed with an investment of ₹3,080 crore.
The plant will turn locally grown sugarcane into Polylactic Acid (PLA)-based bioplastic, bringing the agricultural and manufacturing processes together at one location. The project is expected to give a new industrial use to sugarcane while supporting the growing demand for alternatives to conventional plastic.
Kheri District Magistrate Anjani Kumar Singh recently inspected the facility and reviewed the progress ahead of the proposed launch. During the visit, plant officials explained how sugarcane would move through different stages of processing before being converted into PLA-based material.
The facility will also use a Zero Liquid Discharge system, which is designed to prevent industrial liquid waste from being released into rivers or drains. This feature is intended to make the manufacturing process more environmentally responsible.
The project is expected to add a new dimension to Lakhimpur Kheri’s agriculture-based economy by linking local sugarcane production with advanced manufacturing. It could also create new opportunities for industrial employment and related businesses in the region.
The foundation stone for the facility was laid by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Kumbhi sugar unit of Balrampur Chini Mills in February 2025.
With the proposed October commissioning approaching, the plant is emerging as an important project in India’s efforts to expand bio-based materials and more sustainable manufacturing. Its launch could also mark a significant move towards producing alternatives to petroleum-based plastics within the country.