Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh on August 21 inaugurated the Bisphenol-A pilot plant in CSIR-NCL in Pune.
- These pilot plants have successfully demonstrated novel process technologies developed by NCL under CSIR’s Covid-19 mission program and Bulk Chemicals mission program.
- Dr Jitendra Singh said, Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an important feedstock for the production of epoxy resins, polycarbonate and other engineering plastics.
- He said, the global market for Bisphenol-A is projected to reach 7.1 Million Tons by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 2% over the analysis period 2020-2027.
- The entire estimated annual demand of 1, 35,000 tons in India is imported today. The Minister hoped that CSIR-NCL’s technology will enable import substitution of this important raw material and help in India’s Atmanirbhar initiative.
What is Bisphenol-A (BPA)?
- BPA is an industrial chemical used to make polycarbonate, a hard, clear plastic, which is used in many consumer products.
- BPA is also found in epoxy resins, which act as a protective lining on the inside of some metal-based food and beverage cans.
- BPA is a structural component in polycarbonate beverage bottles.
- It is also a component in metal can coatings, which protect the food from directly contacting metal surfaces.
- BPA has been used in food packaging since the 1960s.
