One facet wherein maximum Indian families excel is the artwork of stockpiling pieces for long run use. Our storerooms frequently space unusual pieces like outdated cardboard bins and considerable thermocol sheets.
Whether or not it’s for events, faculty initiatives, or packaging wishes, thermocol regularly assumes the function of an very important visitor. Its robustness, in style availability, and light-weight nature make it appropriate for more than a few functions, contributing to its recognition.
Alternatively, amidst its reputedly flexible programs, we generally tend to omit its environmental affect. Whilst a lot consideration is given to the negative results of plastic in the world, there’s a less-discussed offender — polystyrene. As thermocol consists of polystyrene, it turns into non-biodegradable and, when uncovered to daylight, produces damaging air pollution.
The thermocol utilised in families and the expansive packaging trade frequently finally ends up filling landfills, in the end discovering its solution to the ocean. Analysis signifies that burning thermocol, a tradition prevalent in lots of families, releases now not simplest Carbon Monoxide but additionally Styrene and quite a lot of different poisonous chemicals, resulting in a myriad of eye and lung infections.
In spite of a lot of research highlighting the antagonistic results of thermocol, its in style utilization continues to escalate. This raises a pivotal query: is there a relatively efficient choice for the packaging trade?
A 29-year-old engineer Chaitanya Dubey from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, might dangle the approach to this factor. This younger entrepreneur has effectively created a biodegradable choice to standard thermocol the usage of mushroom mycelium and agricultural waste.
“As soon as its supposed goal is fulfilled, simply overwhelm it and combine it into your crops — it’ll function a herbal fertiliser for them,” he explains to The Higher India.
Chaitanya’s adventure started nearly 4 years in the past when he had simply graduated from faculty and was once exploring new concepts to pursue. Let’s check out how this biodegradable resolution got here to be.
Bringing a sustainable choice
Born and raised in Kanpur, Chaitanya grew up in a business-oriented circle of relatives. “Whilst my father was once a businessman, I by no means truly idea I’d be one. Like maximum households, my folks sought after me to pursue engineering and protected a role,” he displays.
The predetermined trail gave the impression affordable, and Chaitanya pursued his engineering stage in Bengaluru. “After finishing engineering, the next move is most often to paintings or pursue an MBA. That was once my plan too. I got to work at an organization in Bengaluru whilst considering the speculation of having an MBA,” he stocks.
Alternatively, his plans took an sudden flip when he enrolled in a small enterprise direction in Solan. “It was once a temporary direction that, in some ways, altered my trajectory and led me to the place I’m nowadays. The direction unfolded more than a few profession probabilities for me, and I may just envision myself as an entrepreneur. It was once all through this direction that I used to be offered to mushroom farming and its attainable for producing important income,” he explains.
Mushroom farming marked the preliminary step that finally led Chaitanya to his cutting edge leap forward. “I initiated a small enterprise the place I cultivated each medicinal and business mushrooms. Whilst it was once progressing neatly, I aspired to do extra,” he remembers.
This need precipitated Chaitanya to delve into researching the various makes use of of various portions of mushrooms. All the way through this exploration, he came upon the rising thought of making leather-based from mushrooms.
“Even if it was once essentially a circulating thought on the time, it suggested me against wondering what else may well be crafted the usage of mushrooms,” he displays.
To additional his analysis, he additionally reached out to IIT-Kanpur. “It was once a gentle transition and we nonetheless develop and promote mushrooms. It was once after months of study and building that I used to be in a position to make it,” he says.
In 2019, he included his corporate below the identify Kinoko Biotech — an agri-tech corporate that makes biomaterials out of mushrooms.
Strong, light-weight and planet-friendly
The thermocol is light-weight, strong and has the similar really feel because the polystyrene. “With regards to energy, it compares favourably to high-density thermocol; then again, weight-wise, it leans a bit of at the heavier facet,” he informs.
Discussing the weather used to create the eco-friendly choice, he explains, “Mycelium, or the roots of the mushroom, serves as a herbal adhesive. Moreover, we utilise a mixture of agricultural waste and herbal fibres, contributing to the sturdiness and longevity of the thermocol. The inherent homes of mushrooms make for a strong subject matter.”
He continues, “Since those are technically made from roots of the mushroom, they develop into a byproduct of mushroom and a subcategory. Fabricated from herbal fabrics, the thermocol begins to decompose in about 60 to 90 days. But even so throwing it away, one can in truth use it as a nourisher and herbal fertiliser for crops.”
The thermocol takes about 5 to seven days to be made. “In the case of thermocol, there exists a variety of sorts. Our product falls at the quite upper price spectrum in comparison to low-density thermocol however stays extra inexpensive than high-density thermocol,” he says.
“To place it into point of view, our pricing falls within the mid-range, round Rs 20 to Rs 25 for 100g of packaging. When compared, low-density thermocol most often levels from Rs 15 to Rs 20, whilst high-density thermocol can range broadly, attaining anyplace from Rs 30 to Rs 100 or extra,” he says.
The product is at the moment out there for packaging companies, however Chaitanya has formidable plans to increase manufacturing and make it to be had for most people as neatly.
“We also are within the technique of growing a subject matter the usage of mushrooms to create idols. Many possible choices to POP (Plaster of Paris) are damaging to the surroundings. Lately, our plant capability lets in for the manufacturing of 200 items of thermocol an afternoon, however as a part of our long run plans, we intention to extend this to at least one,000 items according to day,” he explains.
Being a newcomer out there, Chaitanya is navigating the intricacies of provide chain control and persuading companies to make this eco-friendly transfer.
“Whilst the general public have some consciousness of the environmental affect of polystyrene thermocol, there aren’t many substitutes to be had out there. With my inexperienced innovation, I am hoping to supply them with an alternate and a chance to give a contribution undoubtedly to the surroundings,” he expresses.
(Edited by means of Padmashree Pande)