GUWAHATI: Scientists from IIT-Guwahati have developed biodegradable plastic for the first time in India with homegrown technology. It has been developed by the institute’s Centre of Excellence-Sustainable Polymers (CoE-SusPol).
The centre has developed cutlery, household furniture and decorative items such as flower pots and toys using this plastic alternative.
Vimal Katiyar, CoE-SusPol coordinator and principal investigator of the project said that their team has been able to make this product at lower costs with home-grown technology when compared to the US, which is a major producer of biodegradable plastic.
He said that this product has passed the hot-beverage text as it has no hazardous chemicals. The product also is non-polluting and will help increase soil fertility. It comes from a bio-based that is safe and environment-friendly instead of petroleum.
When this kind of biodegradable plastic is thrown in the garbage dump, it will degrade automatically and get absorbed in the soil. The plastic will help increase soil fertility as well.
The project has received support from a Gujarat-based private company to begin commercial production.
Un until now, IIT-G centre has been producing 7-8 kgs of biodegradable plastic at one go. A 100-tonne per year capacity design pilot project will go on until September of this year. If the pilot project is completed successfully, commercial production might begin.