India’s Central Pollution Control Board has permitted sixteen Indian companies to produce bioplastics products, including shopping bags, cutlery, and food packaging. Manufacturers say, however, that they need government incentives and local sources to to make their biobased solutions more affordable. Many use polylactic acid pellets imported from Europe and China, so import duties, shipping costs, and feedstocks prices create a sizable premium to petroleum-derived materials.
Local manufacturers aim to help bridge this gap. Ahmedabad-based Greendiamz Biotech hopes to begin production by the end of 2019, says founder Deepak Sanghvi. Bengaluru’s Envigreen has developed its own technology for a compostable material made from tapioca starch and vegetable oil. Ashwath Hegde, the company’s founder, plans to supply this raw material to Indian plastic makers.