Praj Industries and thyssenkrupp Offer Polylactic Acid Production Tech
30 Apr 2025
3 Min Read
CW Team
Praj Industries Limited (PIL), a global leader in industrial biotechnology solutions and thyssenkrupp Uhde鈥檚 polymer specialists Uhde Inventa-Fischer (UIF), a subsidiary of the global leader in chemical engineering and construction, announced a strategic partnership to jointly offer an end-to-end integrated technology for the production of Polylactic Acid (PLA). This strategic partnership offers a unique, seamless solution that sets them apart in bioplastics.
The indiscriminate use of fossil-based plastics and the often irresponsible disposal, especially of single-use plastics, call for urgent, innovative, and sustainable solutions. Polylactic acid (PLA), as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, holds significant potential in advancing a circular bioeconomy. To meet this global need, PIL and UIF are leveraging their combined expertise in industrial biotechnology and chemical engineering to enhance PLA technology, ensuring an efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable production process.
Dr Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman, Praj Industries, commented, 鈥淧raj鈥檚 Bioprism庐 portfolio for renewable chemicals and materials, with a focus on bioplastics, underscores our commitment to a sustainable future. Our strategic partnership with Uhde marks a significant step toward driving the global shift to a circular economy through cost-effective biomanufacturing and biorefineries. With our proprietary, award-winning PLANERA鈩� technology and this collaboration, we aim to tackle the challenges of fossil-based plastics and deliver innovative, bio-based solutions for a greener planet.鈥�
Praj has further strengthened its efforts by establishing a Centre of Excellence and Innovation for Biopolymers in collaboration with ICT Mumbai, focusing on the characterisation, processing, and application development of biopolymers. Additionally, it inaugurated India鈥檚 first 'Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers' near Pune, producing lactic acid and lactide to support testing, validation, and the growing demand for sustainable biopolymer solutions.
Nadja H氓kansson, CEO, thyssenkrupp Uhde commented on this partnership, 鈥淲e see a perfect match of two world-leading technologies: Uhde鈥檚 PLAneo庐 process can now be offered as an integrated solution with Praj Industries鈥� lactic acid production. Together, we can design and deliver complete PLA plants. Our joint vision is a competitive solution to replace conventional plastics with sustainable alternatives.鈥�
The partnership will be able to offer an end-to-end integrated technology, covering the entire PLA production process from feedstock conversion to polymer production. Different grades of lactic acid can be produced from this technology which find applications in food and industrial sectors. A broad range of PLA grades can be produced, addressing the diverse requirements of various industries such as packaging, textiles, and hygiene supplies. Both companies have a strong global presence, enabling them to deliver innovative solutions to customers worldwide and adapt to practically any agricultural feedstock containing either starch or sugar, including second-generation feedstocks based on non-food raw materials.
A shared commitment to sustainability drives the partnership, focusing on developing environmentally friendly and socially responsible solutions.
Praj Industries Limited (PIL), a global leader in industrial biotechnology solutions and thyssenkrupp Uhde鈥檚 polymer specialists Uhde Inventa-Fischer (UIF), a subsidiary of the global leader in chemical engineering and construction, announced a strategic partnership to jointly offer an end-to-end integrated technology for the production of Polylactic Acid (PLA). This strategic partnership offers a unique, seamless solution that sets them apart in bioplastics. The indiscriminate use of fossil-based plastics and the often irresponsible disposal, especially of single-use plastics, call for urgent, innovative, and sustainable solutions. Polylactic acid (PLA), as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, holds significant potential in advancing a circular bioeconomy. To meet this global need, PIL and UIF are leveraging their combined expertise in industrial biotechnology and chemical engineering to enhance PLA technology, ensuring an efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable production process. Dr Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman, Praj Industries, commented, 鈥淧raj鈥檚 Bioprism庐 portfolio for renewable chemicals and materials, with a focus on bioplastics, underscores our commitment to a sustainable future. Our strategic partnership with Uhde marks a significant step toward driving the global shift to a circular economy through cost-effective biomanufacturing and biorefineries. With our proprietary, award-winning PLANERA鈩� technology and this collaboration, we aim to tackle the challenges of fossil-based plastics and deliver innovative, bio-based solutions for a greener planet.鈥� Praj has further strengthened its efforts by establishing a Centre of Excellence and Innovation for Biopolymers in collaboration with ICT Mumbai, focusing on the characterisation, processing, and application development of biopolymers. Additionally, it inaugurated India鈥檚 first 'Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers' near Pune, producing lactic acid and lactide to support testing, validation, and the growing demand for sustainable biopolymer solutions. Nadja H氓kansson, CEO, thyssenkrupp Uhde commented on this partnership, 鈥淲e see a perfect match of two world-leading technologies: Uhde鈥檚 PLAneo庐 process can now be offered as an integrated solution with Praj Industries鈥� lactic acid production. Together, we can design and deliver complete PLA plants. Our joint vision is a competitive solution to replace conventional plastics with sustainable alternatives.鈥� The partnership will be able to offer an end-to-end integrated technology, covering the entire PLA production process from feedstock conversion to polymer production. Different grades of lactic acid can be produced from this technology which find applications in food and industrial sectors. A broad range of PLA grades can be produced, addressing the diverse requirements of various industries such as packaging, textiles, and hygiene supplies. Both companies have a strong global presence, enabling them to deliver innovative solutions to customers worldwide and adapt to practically any agricultural feedstock containing either starch or sugar, including second-generation feedstocks based on non-food raw materials. A shared commitment to sustainability drives the partnership, focusing on developing environmentally friendly and socially responsible solutions.
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