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Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have developed an agricultural waste-based packaging material, which has the ability to be a permanent option for traditional plastic foam used in packaging.
Researchers showed that mycellium-based biocomposits grown on agriculture and paper waste were found to provide quality in packaging while being biodegradable, informed by a press statement.
According to IIT Madras, research provides a practical solution of two major problems, ie plastic pollution and agricultural waste disposal.
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Research suggests that by converting agricultural residues into high strength, biodegradable packaging materials, it directly supports reducing plastic waste produced in India, which currently exceeds 4 million tonnes annually, and take advantage of 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste.
In particular, researchers have established a start-up called NatureDrax Technologies. This lead researcher and IIT Madras Faculty Dr. Laxmimath is co-installed by Kundanti, pursuing technology transfer in cooperation with industry partners, developing and commercializing new products, and discovery of licensing agreements to widely adopt these solutions.
Researchers aim to accelerate development and achieve government money schemes to ensure that this research has a tangible, positive social impact.
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Research findings were published in the Peer-review Journal Birsource Technology Report during June 2025. Research paper was received by research scholars Sandra Rose Bibi and Vivek Surendran. Kundanti was co-actor.
Morever, it was funded by IIT Madras’s NFIG (new faculty initiation grant) and Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Dr. Kundanti, who is an assistant professor in the Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering Department in IIT Madras, stated that the purpose of research is to resolve two important challenges-plastic pollution and agricultural waste-mesleum-based biocomposits to develop as sustainable, biodegradable packaging materials.
He said, “Currently, research has demonstrated feasibility on laboratory scale with mechanical properties, water resistance and biodegradability. In the future manner, adapting substrate compositions for scalability, involving expansion of shelf life through natural coatings, involving scalability compositions.”
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Dr. Kundanti said, “By bringing this solution to the market, the purpose of research is to create a inexpensive, environmentally friendly packaging option, which can change harmful plastic, benefit the society through better environmental health and economic opportunities. The in composes can be revised to complete other engineering applications such as thermal and acoustic insulation materials.”
Research scholar Sandra Rose Bibi talked about research and said that unlike many previous functions, which focus on a single substrate or fungus, new research used two fungal strains, genoderma lucidum and Phulerotus osteets, five lignoselocic substrates, namli, namli, namli, and Pelleotus Austatus using the pelletas. Granted a wide comparison of biocomozites.
“This study systematically suggests how separate substrate affect mycellial growth density, highlop microstructure, compressed strength, water absorption, and biodegradation. The work identifies the ideal substrate -factional combinations, which have been added to the traditional foam with EPS and EPE to reduce traditional forms with EPS and EPE.
Similarly, Vivek Surendran stated that research approaches align with circular economy principles by converting low-value agriculture and paper waste into high-value biodegradable packaging, while maintaining mechanical properties comparative or better for petroleum-practical foams.
Research states that mycelium-based biocomposits can reduce landfill burden instead of plastic foams such as EPS and EPE, can prevent microplastic formation, and cut greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production and waste devotion.
Through technology, it is also expected that the demand for agricultural by-products will also increase, which will promote rural development and create new income currents for farmers and rural communities.
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