Technological Development Board (TDB) and Sahi Fab have signed a contract for the development and commercialisation of ‘Agricultural waste of stem materials including industrial hemp, flax, and nettle, etc. into Fibre’ as part of the Waste to Wealth project. Out of the Rs 2.08 crore project budget, the board has committed to supporting it with Rs 1.38 crore.
Cannabis Sativa strains with less than 0.3% Tetra hydro cannabinol (THC) make up industrial hemp (iHemp). The little brown seeds in iHemp are a nutrient-dense food that is high in protein, fibre, and good fats like omega-3s and omega-6s that assist to improve the health of the heart, skin, and joints as well as reduce the symptoms of several ailments.
The stem has superior carbon sequestration than cotton and polyester fibre, needs less energy, emits less carbon dioxide during growing, and uses less water than cotton. Although being a good source of environmentally benign, sustainable fibre and one of the strongest and most durable natural textile fibres, it went untapped owing to a lack of technology.
The company has therefore developed a novel solution by manufacturing fibre and fibrous items out of this trash in three processes with the goal of creating wealth from the underutilised waste.
First, the hemp stem is processed using an indigenously created machine called the Decorticator. Next, the extracted fibre is treated with alkali or enzymes using high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) machines. Finally, the treated fibre is carded and can be processed in a variety of ways, one of which is needle punching (nonwoven).
According to a formal announcement, the fibre that is harvested from the stem will not only support the circular economy but also increase farmers’ revenue by about seven times.
Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB said, “TDB has been a forerunner in helping innovative indigenous technologies, aimed at improving the ease of living for common man. Many of the start-ups are venturing into fresh domains, and therefore seek financial assistance to accomplish their endeavours. M/s Sahi Fab is one such start-up which is developing fibre from agricultural waste that remained unexploited due to lack of technology.”
“TDB has been a forerunner in helping innovative indigenous technologies, aimed at improving the ease of living for common man. Many of the start-ups are venturing into fresh domains, and therefore seek financial assistance to accomplish their endeavours. M/s Sahi Fab is one such start-up which is developing fibre from agricultural waste that remained unexploited due to lack of technology.”
– Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB
Inspired by the idea of Hon’ble Prime Minister, aimed at making all our cities ‘Garbage Free’ under Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban 2.0 and focus on ‘Swachhta’, Technology Development Board, a statutory body of Department of Science & Technology, Government of India had invited applications from Indian companies having innovative/indigenous technologies at commercialisation stage in waste management domain. The call for proposal aimed at making Indian cities waste free and at the same time generate wealth from waste through technology interventions i.e., ‘Waste to Wealth’.
