IIT Guwahati to collaborate with industry to make eco-friendly plastic products

IIT Guwahati is working on different projects using indigenously developed biodegradable plastic, polymers and resins to create carry bags, food trays, toys and medical equipment, Dr Vimal Katiyar, Dean of the premier institute's Research and Development.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati is mulling joining hands with the industrial sector to provide people with biodegradable eco-friendly plastic as an alternative to single-use plastic. The move comes after the Central government announced banning SUP items from July 1.

IIT Guwahati is working on different projects using indigenously developed biodegradable plastic, polymers and resins to create carry bags, food trays, toys and medical equipment, Dr Vimal Katiyar, Dean of the premier institute's Research and Development told reporters. The institute is trying to tie up with the industrial sector so that it learns to create different products from biodegradable plastic and make these things available to consumers, he said. Dr. Katiyar was in Indore to participate in a function of the plastic industry.

Meanwhile, the president of the city-based Indian Plast Pack Forum, Sachin Bansal, said his organisation has decided to join hands with IIT Guwahati to get training in the technique of creating different things from biodegradable plastic. A delegation of the forum will visit IIT Guwahati, he said.

"The Centre's ban has stalled the production of single-use plastic worth Rs 100 crore in Madhya Pradesh alone," Bansal said, adding that they were trying to find a practical alternative to SUP so that its production starts.

Meanwhile, IIT Guwahati team which is conducting an audit of the under-construction Assembly building at the New Shillong Township is likely to submit its report on the same after August. An official associated with the project said that the IIT Guwahati team is currently auditing the right and left wings of the building and ascertaining the damages caused due to the collapse of the 70-tonne central dome on May 22.

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