Latest news with #BioresourceTechnologyReports
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
IIT-M develops biodegradable packaging from agricultural waste
Chennai: Researchers from IIT Madras have developed a packaging material using agricultural waste as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic foams. The team demonstrated that material made from mycelium the root-like structure of fungi grown on agricultural and paper waste can provide the required strength and quality for packaging while being biodegradable. They say the innovation could address two challenges: plastic pollution and agricultural waste disposal. At present, the research demonstrated feasibility at the laboratory scale, with mechanical properties, water resistance, and biodegradability, said Prof Lakshminath Kundanati from the department of applied mechanics and biomedical engineering. The findings were published in Bioresource Technology Reports. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "The way forward includes optimising substrate compositions for scalability and extending shelf life through natural coatings," he said. "These composites can also be modified for use in engineering applications such as thermal and acoustic insulation," he added. The team cultivated fungi such as Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus, two types of mushrooms, on agricultural and paper waste. This approach diverts agricultural residues from open burning while creating fully compostable packaging solutions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo The researchers explored combinations of fungal strains and substrates to develop composites with mechanical properties similar to, or better than, plastic foams. "The study identifies ideal fungus-substrate combinations that outperform foams such as EPS and EPE. Ganoderma on cardboard achieved compressive strengths an order of magnitude higher than EPS (Expanded Polystyrene)," said Sandra Biby, research scholar at IIT-M. Prof Kundanati and his team founded a startup called NatureWrks Technologies to develop and commercialise the product. They are exploring industry partnerships and licensing agreements to scale up production and hope to secure govt funding for faster development. India currently generates over four million tonnes of plastic waste and 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste each year. The researchers believe mycelium-based packaging can significantly reduce landfill burden, microplastic pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production and incineration.
India Today
31-07-2025
- Science
- India Today
IIT Madras develops eco-friendly packaging using crop and paper waste
To offer a practical alternative to plastic packaging, researchers at IIT Madras have developed a biodegradable material made from farm and paper waste. Using fungi like Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus, the team has created packaging that is strong, lightweight, and project aims to reduce both agricultural waste and plastic pollution, which remain major environmental concerns in team used fungi such as Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus, growing them on materials like sawdust, cardboard, hay, and paper The resulting product is strong, lightweight, and compostable, making it a potential replacement for plastic foams like EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) and EPE (Expanded Polyethylene) used in project is being led by Dr Lakshminath Kundanati, Assistant Professor at the Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering. Alongside him are research scholars Ms Sandra Rose Biby and Mr Vivek Surendran. The findings were published in the Bioresource Technology Reports journal in June about the initiative, Dr Kundanati said, 'Over 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste is generated in India each year. Much of this goes unused or is burnt, contributing to air pollution"."At the same time, India produces over 4 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. We saw an opportunity to address both problems together,' he move from lab to real-world use, the team has founded a startup called NatureWrks Madras researchers have developed biodegradable packaging using fungi (mycelium) grown on agricultural and paper waste, offering an eco-friendly alternative to plastic foams like EPS and research demonstrated high strength and compostability, with Ganoderma grown on cardboard outperforming conventional plastic foams in compressive strength.A startup named NatureWrks Technologies has been launched to scale and commercialise the innovation, promoting sustainable packaging and rural income past efforts that focused on a single combination of fungus and waste, the IIT Madras team tested multiple COMBINATIONS AND FUTURE POTENTIALThe team found that Ganoderma grown on cardboard offered the best compressive strength, ten times more than EPS. Water resistance and biodegradability were also Biby, one of the lead researchers, said the study's strength lies in its side-by-side comparisons. 'We tested different fungi and substrates and examined how they affect strength, water absorption, and decomposition.'The research fits into the larger idea of a circular economy, where waste is repurposed into valuable to Mr Surendran, such packaging could also open up opportunities for rural communities. 'This method creates value from low-cost, farm-level waste and could offer additional income streams for farmers.'The material, still at prototype stage, may also be adapted for thermal and acoustic insulation in the future.- Ends
