BIO-BASED CHEMICALS AND ENZYMES

NEWS: India has prioritised bio-based chemicals and enzymes under the BioE3 Policy to reduce import reliance on imported petrochemicals and crude oil derivatives

BioE3 Policy

• The BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) ànational framework launched in 2024 àposition India as a global bio-manufacturing powerhouse.
• Spearheaded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science & Technology.
• Focuses onà boosting the economy by driving biotechnology-led GDP growth+ protecting the environment+ creating employment in Tier-II/III cities.
• Six thematic sectorsàbio-based chemicals, smart proteins, precision bio-therapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, carbon capture and utilisation, and marine-space research.
• Economic TargetàTo grow India’s bioeconomy from $150 billion (2023) to $300 billion by 2030.

Bio-based Chemicals

• Industrial chemicals derived from renewable biological feedstocks (sugarcane and biomass residues) rather than from fossil fuels.
• Primarily manufactured through àfermentation, microbial synthesis, or enzymatic conversion.
• Examples: Include bio-alcohols (ethanol), organic acids (lactic acid), bio-plastics, and bio-surfactants.
• These chemicals haveà 30–80% lower carbon footprint than traditional petrochemicals.

About Enzymes

• Biological catalysts (proteins) àthat accelerate chemical reactions with high specificity and work effectively at relatively low temperatures and pressures.
• g., Include proteases (break down proteins), lipases (hydrolyse fats), & amylases (convert starch).
• Enzymeà Use eliminates harsh chemicals, reducing toxic waste and hazardous by-products.
• Commercial scaling in India is currently slowed by complex, multi-layered regulatory approval processes.
• The governmentà aims to establish bio-foundries to design custom enzymes for specific industrial needs.