Odisha Startup Innovates with Bioplastics from Seafood Waste | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: An Odisha-based startup has been addressing environmental and food waste challenges by converting seafood waste into bioplastics. The startup, located in Balasore, has been using waste generated from seafood to make biopolymers (raw material for making bioplastics) which can be used in diverse fields such as packaging, agriculture and functional food.
“Bioplastics offer a promising solution to mitigate the environmental damage caused by traditional plastics. They present a practical and appealing alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based plastics. We are transforming food waste into biopolymers using a proprietary bioconversion process,” said Siddhartha Pati, scientific director of Natnov Bioscience.
“This environment-friendly innovation also tackles the pressing issue of food waste,” he added.
The startup has already produced biopolymers from 5,000 metric tonnes of seafood waste in a year. “Agriculture and pharmaceutical industries procure the biopolymer for manufacturing medicine and bio-stimulant, respectively. Most importantly, it can be used for making bioplastics,” Pati added.
The company, recognised by Startup India and supported by the Odisha govt’s agriculture and farmers’ empowerment department, has exported biopolymers to Turkey, Vietnam, China, Thailand and the UK. Pati said they made bioplastics from biopolymers.
“The company specialises in transforming food waste into biopolymers using a proprietary bioconversion process. Our product looks like conventional plastic. We are yet to release the bioplastic items in the market,” he added.
He said the production of traditional plastics is closely linked with fossil fuel extraction, contributing to significant environmental issues, as around 80% of manufactured plastic ends up accumulating as waste in landfills and ecosystems. “But bioplastics provide a compelling solution by decomposing naturally without releasing harmful by-products, thus lowering their ecological footprint,” he added.
He said their mission is to establish a circular bioeconomy where waste is converted into valuable resources. Biodegradable bioplastics do not contribute to oceanic and waterway pollution, making a positive environmental impact. Bioplastics are characterised by high performance, strength, and durability, making them suitable for a broad range of uses such as food packaging and preservation, with potential for extending shelf life due to antimicrobial properties.
He said the global market for bioplastics will grow. This growth is driven by heightened awareness of health concerns associated with conventional plastics and a growing population in the Asia-Pacific region, which is expected to bolster demand across various industries, offering significant opportunities for biotech startups.
“Bioplastics offer a promising solution to mitigate the environmental damage caused by traditional plastics. They present a practical and appealing alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based plastics. We are transforming food waste into biopolymers using a proprietary bioconversion process,” said Siddhartha Pati, scientific director of Natnov Bioscience.
“This environment-friendly innovation also tackles the pressing issue of food waste,” he added.
The startup has already produced biopolymers from 5,000 metric tonnes of seafood waste in a year. “Agriculture and pharmaceutical industries procure the biopolymer for manufacturing medicine and bio-stimulant, respectively. Most importantly, it can be used for making bioplastics,” Pati added.
The company, recognised by Startup India and supported by the Odisha govt’s agriculture and farmers’ empowerment department, has exported biopolymers to Turkey, Vietnam, China, Thailand and the UK. Pati said they made bioplastics from biopolymers.
“The company specialises in transforming food waste into biopolymers using a proprietary bioconversion process. Our product looks like conventional plastic. We are yet to release the bioplastic items in the market,” he added.
He said the production of traditional plastics is closely linked with fossil fuel extraction, contributing to significant environmental issues, as around 80% of manufactured plastic ends up accumulating as waste in landfills and ecosystems. “But bioplastics provide a compelling solution by decomposing naturally without releasing harmful by-products, thus lowering their ecological footprint,” he added.
He said their mission is to establish a circular bioeconomy where waste is converted into valuable resources. Biodegradable bioplastics do not contribute to oceanic and waterway pollution, making a positive environmental impact. Bioplastics are characterised by high performance, strength, and durability, making them suitable for a broad range of uses such as food packaging and preservation, with potential for extending shelf life due to antimicrobial properties.
He said the global market for bioplastics will grow. This growth is driven by heightened awareness of health concerns associated with conventional plastics and a growing population in the Asia-Pacific region, which is expected to bolster demand across various industries, offering significant opportunities for biotech startups.
