Indian Scientists Develop Eco-Friendly 'Bio-Thermocol' from Stubble to Tackle Farm Fire Crisis

Indian scientists at the Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), under the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), located in Ludhiana, Punjab, have developed an innovative solution to combat the issue of stubble burning in the states of Haryana and Punjab. The scientists have created a "bio-thermocol" material using paddy and wheat stubble, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional thermocol, which is non-biodegradable and poses environmental challenges.

Dr. Ramesh Chand Kasana, the principal scientist at CIPHET, revealed that after patenting the technique, the institute has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a local industrial unit to commence commercial production of the bio-thermocol.

The process of making bio-thermocol involves several key steps:

Stubble Preparation: The stubble is first chopped into small pieces measuring up to a centimeter.

Sterilization: The chopped stubble is sterilized in the laboratory to ensure its cleanliness and safety for further processing.

Mycelium Adhesive: A substrate called spawn is used as an adhesive to join the processed stubble. Mycelium also imparts a white color to the stubble paste.

Molding: The processed stubble paste is then molded into various shapes and sizes.

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The entire process takes approximately 20 days to complete. Unlike traditional industrial thermocol, this bio-thermocol is biodegradable and environmentally friendly, making it a sustainable alternative for packaging and other applications. Dr. Kasana emphasized that the bio-thermocol is as lightweight as conventional thermocol but does not harm the environment.

In addition to its use in packaging, scientists at CIPHET are exploring other potential applications for this innovative material, such as roof ceilings, insulation, and plastering of concrete pillars. While these applications are in the early stages of experimentation, they hold promise for reducing the environmental impact of stubble burning.

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Furthermore, the development of the bio-thermocol presents an opportunity for farmers to increase their income by selling stubble to industries, reducing the practice of burning it, which has been a major environmental concern in the region. The CIPHET has already signed an MOU with a local industrial unit for this purpose.

The initiative aligns with efforts to address the environmental challenges associated with stubble burning in the region. Punjab and Haryana, which together produce a significant amount of stubble, have taken steps to manage stubble through in-situ and ex-situ methods. These efforts have contributed to a reduction in farm fire incidents and garnered attention from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate, which reported a notable decline in fire incidents compared to the previous year.

Despite these improvements, there is still work to be done to fully address the issue of stubble burning, as highlighted by satellite images released by NASA, which show a significant difference in the number of cases compared to official claims. The development of bio-thermocol and the potential for alternative uses of stubble marks a significant step toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to managing agricultural waste in the region.

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