The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), based in Hyderabad, has partnered with Aakar Innovations to develop a unique technology that transforms agricultural waste, particularly banana pseudostems, into compostable sanitary pads.
Called the ‘Wealth out of Waste’ initiative, this innovative method focuses on producing pulp from banana pseudostems for hygiene products. The goal is to create affordable and eco-friendly sanitary pads, especially for women in rural and underserved communities, addressing both menstrual health and environmental concerns.
According to IICT, this is among the first large-scale successes in converting agricultural waste into hygiene products in India. The process uses sustainable techniques to extract pulp with excellent absorption and retention capabilities. Unlike traditional pinewood-based pulp, this alternative is cost-effective and environmentally sustainable, reducing dependence on imported raw materials.
The technology was successfully tested on a 50-liter pilot scale earlier this month, under the leadership of Dr. Vineet Aniya, Senior Scientist, CE&PT, alongside Jaydeep Mandal, MD and Founder of Aakar Innovations, and Dr. Srinivas Reddy, Director of IICT.
The official transfer of technology (ToT) was finalized on January 17 during the launch of the CSIR Innovation Complex in Mumbai. This marks a significant step towards sustainable menstrual health solutions while promoting the valorization of agricultural waste in India.
