The Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) of India has announced plans to transition from plastic bottles to bioplastic bottles, marking a significant initiative in the government sector. This initiative, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, will utilize bioplastic bottles made from polylactic acid (PLA), a material derived from starches found in crops such as corn and sugarcane.
The new bioplastic bottles will be transparent, similar in appearance to traditional plastic bottles, and will include fully biodegradable packaging components, including the cap and label. Current experimental trials are underway to assess the efficacy of these materials.
One notable feature of the bioplastic bottles is their ability to decompose in soil within six months. Additionally, if incinerated, they are designed not to contribute to environmental pollution. Initially, KIIDC plans to produce one-liter bottles.
To facilitate this transition, KIIDC has entered into a partnership with a startup company, ‘8 Specialists,’ which will supply the raw materials needed for production. The manufacturing of the bottles will take place at KIIDC’s facilities in Thodupuzha and Aruvikkara, using bio-foam provided by the startup.
While the projected cost of these biobottles is anticipated to be five times higher than that of conventional plastic bottles, the final pricing will be established once the experimental production phase is completed.
