Avestha launches biodegradable plastic

Avesthagen, the Bangalore-based systems biology firm, and its French joint venture partner Limagrain have launched an eco-friendly and biodegradable plastic in the Indian market.

The biodegradable plastic is manufactured through a process using whole cereal grains, mainly wheat, maize and a number of specific Limagrain ingredients. Unlike the usual non-degradable plastic, this material breaks down and becomes compost in 120 days in industrial composting conditions.

Announcing this on Tuesday, Villoo Morawala-Patell, founder, chairperson and managing director, Avesthagen said, "As research and innovation is core to Avesthagen, we would not stop here, but continue our work to introduce more environment-friendly products."

Annual global usage of non-degradable plastic is said to be over 150 million tonnes, made mostly from non-renewable resources such as petroleum. This biodegradable plastic is aimed at reducing the hazards of environmental pollution.

Recently, the company signed an agreement with Tecom Investments to market and launch environment friendly products in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) region.

The first project being undertaken is the commercialisation of BioPerceptä, an eco-friendly and biodegradable plastic similar to what has been launched here.