Balrampur Chini Mills Fuels Sustainable Drive with Green Initiatives

Balrampur Chini Mills Limited (BCML), one of India's leading sugar companies, has taken significant steps toward sustainability with its eco-friendly product offerings and sustainable manufacturing practices. Recently, the company announced its upcoming Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) manufacturing venture aimed at reducing single-use plastics and promoting a sustainable switch.

BCML’s journey in the line of sustainability is defined by 6 paramount concepts – Integrated, Zero Liquid Discharge, Financial Prudence, Biofuel, Cane Competence and Digitalisation.

Integrated Operations and Zero Liquid Discharge

The company maximizes value from sugarcane while enhancing returns and minimizing environmental impact. BCML has successfully transitioned all its distilleries to zero liquid discharge, installing incineration boilers in sugar manufacturing plants and investing in state-of-the-art units to recycle and reduce condensate water. 

Financial Prudence and Biofuel Production

The expansion of BCML’s distillery capacity has been one of the primary factors that led to a significantly lower need for borrowed funds to grow the business. BCML was also among the first companies to respond to the National Biofuel Policy, 2018 through notable investments directed towards the distillery business. From 360 KLPD in 2017-18 to a capacity of 1050 KLPD, BCML has rapidly ramped up its distillery capacity.

Cane Competence and Digitalisation

BCML not only actively invests to enhance the quality and productivity of the primary raw material i.e. sugarcane but also collaborates with advanced cane research institutes to introduce superior cane alternatives. It helped the Company to centralize data around common platforms and thereby led to undertaking well-informed decisions. 

Circular Economy and PLA Manufacturing

BCML has established a circular economy by strategically utilizing by-products. The company’s latest investment in PLA manufacturing, with an estimated INR 2,000 crore, aims to produce bioplastics from sugarcane, significantly reducing single-use plastic consumption. PLA bioplastic, derived from widely grown sugarcane, is an eco-friendly alternative to fossil-fuel-based plastics, reducing energy dependence. To minimize infrastructural expenses and leverage existing resources, BCML plans to establish the PLA project on a greenfield site adjacent to an existing sugar plant.

BCML’s integrated model of operations, where one end product serves as raw material for another, exemplifies its vision of securing an energy-independent future. Through these efforts, BCML continues to contribute towards sustainability and drive the transition towards a greener economy.