Hyderabad, Jan 23: The CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) has introduced a revolutionary technology to transform agricultural waste into hygiene products, marking a significant step toward sustainability.
In collaboration with its industrial partner, Aakar Innovations Private Limited, CSIR-IICT has developed the “Wealth Out of Waste” (WOW) technology for commercial pulp production from agricultural by-products, particularly banana pseudostems.
This innovative process enables the creation of eco-friendly, compostable sanitary pads, addressing pressing societal needs such as menstrual health, especially in rural and underprivileged communities.
The patented technology, aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, employs sustainable methods to extract pulp with superior adsorption and retention properties. This pulp serves as a cost-effective alternative to traditional pinewood-based materials, reducing dependency on conventional resources.
The process was demonstrated on a 50-liter pilot scale on January 7-8, 2025, at CSIR-IICT. Led by Dr Vineet Aniya, Senior Scientist, CE&PT, the demonstration involved key figures, including Mr. Jaydeep Mandal, Managing Director and Founder of Aakar Innovations, Dr. Srinivas Reddy, Director of CSIR-IICT, and other senior scientists.
The technology transfer (ToT) agreement was formalised on January 17, 2025, at the CSIR Innovation Complex, Mumbai (C-ICM), in the presence of notable dignitaries, including Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, and Dr N Kalaiselvi, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), and Director General of CSIR.
Dr Kalaiselvi praised CSIR-IICT’s contribution to sustainable innovation and its societal impact. She emphasised the institute’s commitment to addressing environmental and social challenges through advanced scientific solutions.
This collaboration between CSIR-IICT and Aakar Innovations exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships in leveraging science for societal benefits. By promoting agricultural waste valorisation, this project aligns with national goals of economic and environmental sustainability.
CSIR-IICT reaffirmed its dedication to fostering industry collaborations, advancing eco-friendly technologies, and addressing global challenges, setting new standards in sustainable innovation, according to a statement here on Wednesday.
Source: UNI
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