State-owned Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) has officially launched Bharat Tiki Tar Shell Pvt Ltd, its joint venture with Shell and Tiki Tar Industries to produce and market value-added bitumen products. According to BPCL's latest statement, the company has started operations following the joint venture and share subscription agreement signed on June 26, 2026. The venture replaces the earlier Tiki Tar and Shell India Pvt Ltd, which was established in 2019, with the new entity now operational and serving the Indian market. As reported by Rediff Moneynews, the partnership represents the coming together of complementary strengths built over decades, with Shell's Raman Ojha noting that with BPCL joining as a strategic partner, they are unlocking new possibilities to transform the bitumen landscape.
The company will manufacture and market specialised bitumen products including polymer-modified bitumen (PMB), crumb-rubber modified bitumen (CRMB), natural rubber modified bitumen (NRMB) and bitumen emulsions. As reported by BPCL, these products are used on national highway projects and airport runways for their durability, temperature stability and longer service life. The venture combines Shell's technology and product-development capabilities with Tiki Tar's manufacturing network and BPCL's nationwide sales and marketing reach, with the company operating under the tagline 'Best Bitumen for Best Roads' and initials 'BTS' described as 'Beyond the Surface'. According to Rediff Moneynews, the new company will focus on durable, high-performance bitumen products like PMB and CRMB, with BPCL's Subhankar Sen stating that India's roads and highways are witnessing historic growth with accelerated demand for highly durable value-added bitumen.
Tiki Tar, which has operated in India for more than six decades, operates six manufacturing plants at Taloja, Halol, Palwal, Mangalore, Visakhapatnam and Pithampur. According to BPCL, the company will contribute its manufacturing capacity, logistics network and knowledge of the Indian market. Shell will provide technology and innovation capabilities for advanced value-added bitumen and circular-economy solutions, while BPCL will use its sales network to target government contracts, public-works projects and large infrastructure developments, including the Bharatmala Pariyojana. As reported by Rediff Moneynews, Tiki Tar's Director Rajendra Shah said the company's six plants provide the venture with immediate, scalable production capacity and a track record across infrastructure projects in India. The venture will also focus on decarbonisation and waste circularity in the paving industry.
Sumit Mohan has been named as MD and CEO of the new venture, as reported by BPCL. Subhankar Sen, BPCL's director of marketing, stated that India's roads and highways are witnessing historic growth with accelerated demand for highly durable value-added bitumen. The partnership aims to support stringent quality demands of marquee state projects like the Bharatmala Pariyojana, with Manoj Menon, Bharat Tiki Tar Shell Chairman, noting that demand is shifting from conventional paving bitumen towards high-performance, application-specific and value-added solutions as India expands its highways, roads, airports and logistics infrastructure. According to Rediff Moneynews, Menon emphasized that their ambition is not merely to manufacture and supply bitumen, but to become a trusted solution partner delivering innovative products that meet evolving customer needs and support better, more durable and sustainable infrastructure.
The joint venture plans to introduce solutions aimed at reducing emissions and increasing waste circularity in the paving industry, according to BPCL. The partnership combines Shell's 2019 base of bitumen work and Tiki Tar's manufacturing capabilities with BPCL's market reach and technology, with the stated aim of more durable and resource-efficient road construction. The venture will focus on sustainable growth and expanding its presence in the value-added bitumen market, leveraging collaboration and people contributions to the business while supporting India's expansion of highways, roads, airports, logistics networks and smart cities. As reported by Rediff Moneynews, while the joint venture did not provide details of specific products, investment amounts or production targets for emission reduction solutions, the partnership represents a significant step toward transforming India's bitumen landscape through sustainable infrastructure development.
