Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) on Thursday launched Bharatgas Lite, a lightweight composite LPG cylinder, in Goa, marking a shift toward alternative cylinder materials aimed at improving safety, convenience and consumer experience in domestic cooking fuel.
The product was launched at India Energy Week (IEW) in the presence of Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri and Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant.
Unlike conventional steel cylinders, Bharatgas Lite is made from advanced composite materials and is more than 50 per cent lighter than standard LPG cylinders, BPCL said. The cylinder features a translucent body that allows users to visually monitor LPG levels, helping households better plan refills.
BPCL said the composite design is rust-free and resistant to corrosion, addressing common issues associated with steel cylinders, including staining of kitchen floors. The company also said the cylinder has enhanced safety features, as composite materials do not fragment on impact and are designed to withstand high-pressure conditions.
T V Pandiyan, business head – LPG at BPCL, said the launch is part of the company’s broader effort to modernise domestic energy infrastructure and align product offerings with changing consumer expectations. He added that the initiative also supports BPCL’s long-term sustainability goals, including its net zero target by 2040.
The company said the lighter cylinders are expected to improve downstream logistics and handling efficiency across the LPG supply chain.
Under the rollout plan, existing non-subsidised Bharatgas customers in Goa can switch to the composite cylinder through a swapping scheme by paying an additional security deposit of ₹300. New customers opting for Bharatgas Lite will be required to pay a security deposit of ₹2,500, as per standard onboarding procedures.
BPCL said the Goa launch will help assess consumer response ahead of any wider deployment of composite LPG cylinders in other markets.
