Praj Industries Ltd said on Tuesday it has entered into a strategic partnership with thyssenkrupp Uhde’s subsidiary Uhde Inventa-Fischer (UIF) to jointly offer an integrated, end-to-end technology for the production of polylactic acid (PLA), a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.
The collaboration aims to advance circular economy goals by combining Praj’s expertise in industrial biotechnology with UIF’s proven chemical engineering capabilities. The partnership will deliver complete PLA production plants – from feedstock conversion to final polymer output – targeting industries such as packaging, textiles, and hygiene.
“Through our proprietary PLANERA™ technology and this partnership, we aim to address the global challenge of fossil-based plastic pollution with innovative, bio-based solutions,” said Praj Industries Founder Chairman Pramod Chaudhari.
Praj has also set up a Centre of Excellence and Innovation for Biopolymers in partnership with ICT Mumbai and launched India’s first demonstration facility for biopolymers near Pune to produce lactic acid and lactide.
thyssenkrupp Uhde CEO Nadja Håkansson said the companies would offer a competitive alternative to conventional plastics using Uhde’s PLAneo® process, now integrated with Praj’s lactic acid production technology.
The integrated offering can produce various grades of lactic acid from agricultural feedstocks—including second-generation, non-food sources—and convert them into PLA grades suited for industrial and consumer applications.
Praj Industries, listed on the BSE and NSE, is one of India’s leading industrial biotech firms, with operations across more than 100 countries. thyssenkrupp Uhde, part of Germany’s thyssenkrupp Group, develops technologies for base chemicals, polymers, and green hydrogen value chains.
Shares of Praj Industries ended 1% lower on Tuesday at a price of ₹508.50 on the BSE.
