“The next big thing isn’t made from oil. It’s made from farm waste.”
In a landmark moment for India’s cleantech future, UKHI officially launched EcoGran, its revolutionary biodegradable biopolymer, at Vigyan Bhawan during World Environment Day – 9 June 2025. The event marked a bold step forward in India’s bioeconomy journey, with EcoGran poised to replace plastic at scale using agricultural waste.
A Celebration of Indian Innovation
While Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology, served as the Chief Guest, the official unveiling was led by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. The event was graced by global dignitaries including Ms. Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Netherlands, and H.E. Mr. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark, alongside Mrs. Anita Gupta (DST CEST Head) and Mr. Anil Singh, GM, IIT Mandi Catalyst.
What Is EcoGran?
EcoGran is a home-compostable, biodegradable biopolymer made from India’s underutilized agricultural residue—including hemp, flax, and stubble waste. It’s the first of its kind to be incubated under IIT Mandi Catalyst, with support from DST’s NIDHI program and guidance from institutions like IIM Bangalore (NSRCEL) and ICAR, Pusa.
Why It Matters
EcoGran addresses three major crises with one innovation:
- ✅ Plastic Waste: Offers a scalable alternative to petroleum-based plastics
- ✅ Stubble Burning: Converts crop waste into high-value input, reducing air pollution
- ✅ Rural Distress: Adds ₹15,000/acre to farmer incomes through waste valorization
Impact in Numbers
| By 2030 | Impact |
| 1,00,000 tons/year | EcoGran production target |
| ₹15,000+ per acre | Farmer income boost |
| 500+ | Green jobs to be created |
| 100% | Indian IP – patents filed |
| 30% | Cheaper than imported bioplastics |
Atmanirbhar Bharat Begins in the Soil
Addressing the audience, Prof. Karandikar remarked how when DST incubators like IIT Mandi Catalyst empower startups like UKHI, magic happens. EcoGran is not just a product—it’s a promise of Atmanirbhar Bharat rooted in sustainability.
The Tech Behind the Mission
EcoGran is engineered for drop-in compatibility—meaning it fits seamlessly into existing plastic production infrastructure. With applications across retail, e-commerce, healthcare, construction, and automotive, the material delivers high performance without environmental compromise.
Partnerships That Made It Possible
The launch was made possible through a collective effort of:
- IIT Mandi Catalyst
- Department of Science & Technology (DST)
- NSRCEL – IIM Bangalore
- ICAR, Pusa
- International support from Netherlands and Denmark
What’s Next?
Following the launch, UKHI will:
- Expand production capacity to meet 500-ton/month targets
- Deepen R&D for next-generation biomaterials
- Open pilot partnerships across major industries
- Continue building India’s cleantech supply chain from farm to factory
Ukhi’s News:
https://www.hindusthansamachar.in/Encyc/2025/6/5/Bio-plastic-launched-in-program.php
https://livevns.news/National/bio-plastic-launched-in-programphp/cid16841789.htm
https://yourstory.com/2025/06/ukhi-agrowaste-ecogran-bioplastics