The packaging made from farm and paper waste could replace plastic. It cuts pollution, uses crop waste, and may bring new income to farmers.
IIT Madras Researchers develop Agriculture Waste-based Packaging Materials that can eliminate Plastic Use
Researchers at IIT Madras have created a biodegradable packaging material from agricultural and paper waste, offering a sustainable replacement for plastic foams like EPS and EPE. This mycelium-based material matches the strength and utility of conventional plastic packaging while being fully compostable.
The innovation tackles two major challenges in India—plastic waste and agricultural residue disposal. With India generating over 4 million tonnes of plastic and 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste annually, this solution presents a practical and scalable way to reduce environmental harm.
To commercialize the product, the team has launched NatureWrks Technologies, a start-up co-founded by lead researcher Dr. Lakshminath Kundanati. The company is working on product development, industry tie-ups, licensing, and accessing government support to bring the product to market.
The packaging is grown by cultivating fungi such as Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus on a blend of agricultural and paper waste. This process not only prevents the open burning of crop waste but also aligns with India’s circular economy goals by creating value from local, low-cost materials.
The researchers tested different fungus-waste combinations to develop packaging that performs similarly to plastic foams in strength and quality. Beyond environmental benefits, this approach can support rural economies by creating new income streams for farmers and reducing dependency on synthetic materials.
By turning waste into high-performance, biodegradable packaging, the team at IIT Madras is contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Elaborating on the significance of this Research, Dr. Lakshminath Kundanati, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “In India, over 350 million tons of agricultural waste are generated annually, much of which is burned or left to decay, causing air pollution and wasting valuable resources. Our Research aimed to address both challenges—plastic pollution and agricultural waste—by developing mycelium-based biocomposites as sustainable, biodegradable packaging materials.”
