**Executive Summary**
On May 6, 2026, CSIR-CRRI and BPCL received recognition from the India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records for constructing the first roadblock section using technical textile geocells made from end-of-life plastic. The project demonstrates a sustainable pathway for converting plastic waste into resilient road infrastructure materials. This milestone achievement, celebrated at a ceremony in New Delhi, aligns with national priorities regarding circular economy objectives and resource-efficient engineering.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Record-Breaking Innovation**
* CSIR-CRRI and BPCL established a record for the "First Roadblock Section Constructed Using Technical Textile Geocell Made from End-of-Life Plastic."
* The technology utilizes processed end-of-life plastic to manufacture technical textile geocells for infrastructure applications.
* The recognition by the Asia Book of Records acknowledges the novelty and impact of this first-of-its-kind demonstration in road engineering.
**Sustainability and Circular Economy**
* The initiative addresses two critical national priorities: sustainable waste management and resilient road construction.
* The technology offers a solution for converting difficult-to-manage plastic waste into value-added infrastructure materials.
* The project contributes to circular economy objectives by reducing the environmental burden associated with plastic disposal.
**Technical Validation and Performance**
* Extensive material characterization and performance evaluation were conducted to ensure the geocell system met engineering requirements.
* Validation studies confirmed the end product’s suitability for road applications in terms of structural integrity, durability, and field applicability.
* The project reflects a commitment to developing scalable, field-oriented technologies for resource-efficient road engineering.
**Collaborative Framework**
* The achievement highlights the importance of industry-academia collaboration between CSIR-CRRI and BPCL.
* The project was undertaken as part of BPCL’s sustainability goals and refinery working mandates.
**Impact Analysis**
**CSIR-CRRI (Research Institution)**
**Impact**
The institution is recognized for scientific innovation and its ability to address plastic waste challenges through practical infrastructure solutions.
**Action Required**
Continue material characterization and validation studies to ensure the scalability and field applicability of waste-utilization technologies.
**Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) (Industry)**
**Impact**
The collaboration fulfills refinery mandates and sustainability goals while demonstrating the company's role in environmental stewardship.
**Action Required**
Continue participating in industry-academia partnerships to translate research into scalable field applications.
**Construction and Infrastructure Sector**
**Impact**
The sector benefits from an innovative, durable, and sustainable material for roadblock applications that reduces reliance on traditional materials.
**Action Required**
Adopt and integrate technical textile geocell technology into road infrastructure projects to meet sustainability and resilience targets.
Key Entities Referenced
CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI): The primary research institution responsible for developing the technology that utilizes end-of-life plastic for sustainable road infrastructure.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL): The central industry partner that collaborated with CSIR-CRRI to implement and scale the innovative use of plastic waste in construction.
Ministry of Science & Technology: The primary government ministry overseeing the scientific research and industry-academia collaborations mentioned in the document.
Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi: Director General of CSIR and Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), serving as the key leadership figure for the initiative.
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR-CRRI and BPCL Received India Book of
Records Asia Book of Records Recognition for
Innovative Use of End-of-Life Plastic in Road
Infrastructure
Posted On: 06 MAY 2026 6:35PM by PIB Delhi
CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), in collaboration with Bharat Petroleum Corporation
Limited (BPCL), has been recognized by the India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records for
establishing the record titled “First Roadblock Section Constructed Using Technical Textile Geocell
Made from End-of-Life Plastic.”
The felicitation ceremony was held at the Auditorium, CSIR-CRRI, New Delhi, in the gracious presence
of Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR.
This achievement marks an important milestone in sustainable road infrastructure development by
demonstrating the scientific and practical utilization of end-of-life plastic waste in the construction sector.
The recognized technology involves the development and application of technical textile geocells
manufactured from processed end-of-life plastic, offering an innovative pathway for converting difficult-
to-manage plastic waste into value-added infrastructure materials.
Director CSIR-CRRI, Dr. Ch. RaviSekhar shared that this initiative addresses two critical national
priorities: sustainable waste management and resilient road construction. By integrating end-of-life plastic
into geocell-based roadblock applications, the technology contributes to circular economy objectives
while reducing the environmental burden associated with plastic disposal.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ambika Behl Scientist F from CSIR-CRRI said This accomplishment
reflects the strength of collaborative research between CSIR-CRRI and BPCL, and reinforces our
commitment to developing scalable, field-oriented technologies that contribute to sustainable and
resource-efficient road engineering. This recognition by the India Book of Records and Asia Book of
Records is an important milestone in demonstrating how scientific innovation can address the growing
challenge of end-of-life plastic waste management through practical infrastructure solutions. Sh.
Gagandeep Singh, Scientist E from CRRI shared that the key aspect of this work was ensuring that the end
product not only addressed waste utilization objectives but also met engineering performance
requirements in terms of structural integrity, durability, and field applicability. Extensive material
characterization, performance evaluation, and validation studies were undertaken to assess the suitability
of the developed geocell system for road applications.
Dr. Mahesh Kasture Chief Manager BPCL highlighted the importance of industry-academia collaboration
in translating research into scalable field applications. The achievement also reflects India’s growing
commitment toward sustainable infrastructure solutions aligned with environmental stewardship andresource efficiency. Dr. T. Chiranjeevi, GM (R&D), BPCL, informed that with the present working
mandate of refineries, the formulation of this project was undertaken as part of BPCL’s sustainability goals
and helps in fulfilling some of its requirements.
Finally, the overall achievement of the record was highlighted and the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr.
Vinod Kumar, Chief Scientist, CSIR-CRRI.
The record recognition by Asia Book of Records acknowledges the novelty and impact of this first-of-its-
kind demonstration in road engineering.*****
NKR/AK
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