IIT-M Turns Farm Waste Into Eco-Friendly Packaging

04 Aug 2025 CW Team

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) have developed an eco-friendly packaging material derived from agricultural waste, presenting it as a viable alternative to conventional plastic foams.

The innovation involves cultivating fungi such as Ganoderma lucidum—a mushroom with medicinal properties—and Pleurotus ostreatus, an edible variety, on substrates like paper and agricultural waste. By experimenting with combinations of fungal strains and substrates, the team created a composite material that proved to be sturdy and resilient.

Five substrates were tested: cardboard, sawdust, paper, cocopith, and hay. Among these, Ganoderma grown on cardboard exhibited a compressive strength greater than expanded polystyrene (EPS), a commonly used plastic foam, according to the researchers’ press release.

India generates over 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste annually, much of which is either burnt or discarded. This new material offers a sustainable use for such waste while helping reduce the nearly four million tonnes of plastic waste the country produces each year.

To commercialise the innovation, the team has founded a start-up called NatureWrks Technologies, incubated at IIT-M. The company plans to collaborate with industry partners, licence the technology, and seek government funding to accelerate product development and adoption.

The project is led by Lakshminath Kundanati, assistant professor in the Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering. Team members include research scholars Sandra Rose Biby and Vivek Surendran. The findings were published in Bioresource Technology Reports in June.

Resources

03 Jun 2026

Jyoti Structures Launches Heat Safety Drive Across Sites

Jyoti Structures (JSL) has strengthened heat safety measures across its project sites and manufacturing facilities as temperatures rise across India. The company has implemented a Summer Safety Plan covering all transmission line projects to address risks related to heat stress, dehydration and worker fatigue.The initiative includes rescheduling work away from peak afternoon temperatures, provision of drinking water, ORS and lemon-salt solutions, and installation of rest shelters near work areas. Daily toolbox talks, worker health monitoring, first-aid preparedness, emergency transport arrange..

MHADA Declares 82 Buildings Most Dangerous in Central and South Mumbai

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has declared 82 buildings as most dangerous across Central and South Mumbai and has appealed to residents to vacate immediately. The list, prepared after structural assessments by the authority, identifies buildings judged to pose imminent risk to occupants and to passersby. Local civic bodies have been asked to coordinate evacuations and to make arrangements for temporary shelter and rehabilitation for displaced households. Officials said the authority prioritised buildings with visible structural distress, severe cracking, tiltin..

Damage Reported At Halwara Airport Terminal After First Rains

Severe damage was reported at the terminal of Halwara Airport during the first major rain spell of the season, prompting immediate concern among aviation and local authorities. Images from the site showed water ingress and visible deterioration of the terminal interior, affecting passenger areas and ancillary services. The airport authority suspended certain operations temporarily to assess structural safety and ensure passenger wellbeing. Preliminary inspections have prioritised electrical systems and roof seals to prevent further water ingress. State aviation officials ordered a formal inqui..