In News:

• India has taken a significant step towards strengthening its bioeconomy with the launch of High-Performance Biomanufacturing Platforms by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Environment, Economy & Employment).
• The initiative aims to provide world-class infrastructure, tools, and expertise to start-ups, SMEs, industry, and academia, enabling the transition of bio-based innovations from laboratories to production scale.

Key Features of the Platforms

• National Network: 21 bio-enablers comprising advanced biofoundries and biomanufacturing hubs.
• Focus Areas:
  • Microbial strains & smart proteins
  • Probiotics & bio-based chemicals
  • Next-generation cell therapies & mRNA medicines
  • Marine bio-innovations
  • Sustainable biofuels
• Support System: Offers integrated facilities for R&D, innovation, and commercialization.
• Alignment: Consistent with Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and India’s climate commitments.

Objectives

• Economic: Position India as a global bioeconomy leader and build a multi-trillion-dollar bioeconomy by 2047.
• Strategic: Reduce dependence on imports by strengthening indigenous capabilities.
• Social: Generate employment, build capacity, and support youth-led innovations.
• Environmental: Promote green growth and sustainable production systems.

Significance of the Initiative

• Economic Potential
  • India now accounts for ~20% of global biomanufacturing capacity.
  • Bio-industrial sector contributes 47.2%, bio-farmers 35.2%, bio-services 9.4%, and bio-agri8.1% to the bioeconomy.
  • Reinforces India’s status as the world’s fourth-largest economy and a rising biotech powerhouse.
• Employment and Innovation
  • Creates an enabling ecosystem for start-ups and SMEs, boosting entrepreneurship.
  • Generates skilled jobs in cutting-edge sectors like synthetic biology, bioenergy, and therapeutics.
• Strategic Autonomy
  • Enhances self-reliance in critical biomanufacturing domains such as vaccines, smart proteins, and biofuels.
  • Reduces vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions.
• Sustainability and Viksit Bharat 2047
  • Supports green growth through bio-based, low-carbon solutions.
  • Anchors India’s long-term development vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.