Bio-lutions turns agricultural waste into biodegradable packaging – Biolutions agricultural waste biodegradable packaging - Arhive
Biolutions agricultural waste biodegradable packaging Biolutions agricultural waste biodegradable packaging Biolutions agricultural waste biodegradable packaging
Bio-lutions turns agricultural waste into biodegradable packaging
Bio-lutions GmbH, a company that believes in sustainable innovations, came up with a patented ‘mechanical process’ through which agricultural residual fibres are converted into self-binding micro and nano fibrillated natural fibres using only water.
This Germany-based company, founded by architect and industrial designer Eduardo Gordillo in 2012 has set up its first ever pilot project in Bengaluru and is slowly working toward making a huge change in the game of disposables and packaging.
The company was set up in January 2017 by three Indian partners: Kurian Mathew, 41, Managing Director; Kurian George, 35; and George Thomas, 35, the directors in collaboration with Bio-lutions Gmbh owning majority share of the company.
Kurian George says, “Although the roots of the company are in Germany, the biggest part we have played is that for the first time in the world, from a research stage we have been able to take the company to a commercial stage.”
An established one-of-a-kind production plant on the outskirts of Bengaluru currently sources agricultural waste from the farmers of the Mandya region. Sugar leaves, pineapple leaves, tomato leaves, banana stems, water hyacinth plants are obtained from working with the farmers’ cooperative in the region, who in turn can earn from what was earlier disregarded, improve their livelihood through varied income, and can contribute to the good cause of cutting down on the use of plastics.
The agricultural excess is then converted into all natural, biodegradable, recyclable, and 100 percent food grade packaging. The end product is being provided to local businesses in Bengaluru where plastic is already banned, filling in the need for sustainable packaging.
Kurian Mathew says, “Localisation is at the heart of the company. We source locally, produce locally, and cater to the local market. We are able to be part of the local waste management system. Given that agriculture is a primary source of income, it is a win-win situation for farmers and us.”