CSIR-NIIST Advances Biodegradable Bio-Polymer Bottle Toward Commercial Licensing

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) in Thiruvananthapuram has developed a biodegradable bottle technology aimed at replacing conventional plastic bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This innovation was recently exhibited at the CSIR stall during the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026.

The bottle is fabricated from polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers blended with natural agricultural materials such as sugarcane waste and starch. This composition allows the bottle to maintain clarity and weight comparable to conventional PET bottles, with a shelf life of approximately one year.

Dr. Anjineyulu Kothakota, the lead scientist behind the development, emphasized the environmental imperative driving the project: "We propose to replace the PET bottle, because PET is non-degradable and is causing environmental pollution."

Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director of CSIR-NIIST, highlighted the broader significance of the technology: "The development of sustainable packaging materials is an important step towards addressing the growing challenge of plastic pollution while enabling a transition to a circular bio-economy. Our bio-polymer-based bottle technology demonstrates the potential of materials science to deliver sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic packaging."

The biodegradable bottle degrades naturally within approximately six months under ambient conditions. Under controlled composting environments with elevated temperatures, the degradation period shortens to around three months. This rapid biodegradability contrasts sharply with the persistence of conventional PET plastics in the environment.

The technology’s potential applications include packaging for drinking water, juices, soft drinks, and other food products, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The integration of biodegradable polymers with agricultural residues represents a strategic effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuel-derived plastics.

This initiative forms part of CSIR’s Sustainable Packaging Mission, which aims to identify and promote viable alternatives to conventional plastic packaging to mitigate environmental pollution.

According to R.S. Praveen Raj, Scientist responsible for Intellectual Property Management and Technology Transfer at CSIR-NIIST, the project began approximately two years ago. A patent application for the bio-polymer bottle technology has already been filed, signaling intent to protect the intellectual property.

Praveen Raj further explained the licensing strategy: "There are many enquiries for licensing this technology. We prefer to license this know-how on a non-exclusive basis only. Our aim is technology penetration. We want to ensure that the technology benefits reach out to maximum number of people across the country."

The non-exclusive licensing model allows multiple companies to obtain rights to manufacture and commercialize the biodegradable bottles, potentially accelerating market adoption and environmental impact.

A Pune-based start-up is preparing to facilitate the technology transfer and commercialization process, bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial-scale production.

This development underscores India’s growing commitment to sustainable materials science and circular bio-economy principles, leveraging indigenous agricultural resources to address the global challenge of plastic pollution.

As the technology moves closer to commercial deployment, it offers a promising pathway for the packaging industry to transition towards environmentally responsible alternatives without compromising product quality or shelf life.