Turning waste into value: Rubber Board achieves breakthrough in skim rubber recovery
Developed by the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), the process transforms skim latex into usable rubber in just 24 hours. The treatment involves a special mix of chemicals followed by acid coagulation, which helps form rubber lumps. These are then converted into skim crepe and dried for use.
Skim latex is typically produced during the making of Centrifuged Latex (Cenex), which goes into items like gloves, condoms, and balloons. With over 40 Cenex factories in India, around 10 percent of the country's natural rubber is processed this way, leaving behind a large volume of skim latex.
Until now, recovering rubber from this by-product has been a slow, messy process. Skim latex was acid-treated and packed into plastic sacks for two weeks, allowing it to solidify. The result was low-grade rubber, bad odours and a lot of plastic waste, which often triggered public protests.
The RRII's new method eliminates the need for plastic sacks, cuts processing time dramatically and produces rubber of much better quality. It, at the same time, reduces foul smells and environmental impact.
Buoyed by the finding, the Board now plans to brand the new product as Indian Purified Skim Rubber™ (IPSR) and patent the process. The technology has already been handed over to the Federation of Latex Processors on a paid basis and is available for other factories to adopt too.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Business Standard
Veeda Lifesciences announces partnership with Mango Sciences to bring AI innovation in clinical trials services
PRNewswire Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], July 8: Veeda Lifesciences, a global contract research organization (CRO), has announced an investment in Mango Sciences, a Boston-based healthcare AI and data company. Through this investment, Veeda intends to leverage AI capabilities to enhance the speed, efficiency, and quality of Clinical Trials services across its expanded global network, enabling more diverse, efficient recruitment and globally representative patient selection. By leveraging Mango Sciences' AI-powered Querent™ platform, Veeda will effectively use technology to automate patient identification with precision and expand its reach across Europe. "Our partnership will transform Veeda into an AI-driven oncology drug development organization, meeting the growing demand for diversity in clinical trials, which is in line with the expectations of regulators and pharmaceutical companies. We will be one of only a few CROs focused in Oncology with access to this proprietary technology," said Dr. Mahesh Bhalgat, Group CEO and Managing Director, Veeda Clinical Research Limited. This partnership promotes Veeda's objectives of investing in technology modernization and digital transformation to enhance operational efficiency and quality assurance across its clinical research operations. By deploying the AI-powered Querent™ platform, Veeda will streamline processes, improve data management capabilities, and ensure higher quality standards through broader representation of non-Caucasian populations. This will enhance clinical trial efficiency through advanced data analytics--improving patient matching, trial design, and monitoring while reducing costs and timelines. Dr. Mohit Misra, Founder & CEO of Mango Sciences, added, "We are integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative-AI into Querent™ to drive operational efficiencies and improve real-world evidence, ultimately identifying the right drug for the right patient." Veeda has strengthened its position as a tech-enabled, AI-driven CRO through strategic investments and the acquisition of Health Data Specialists (Heads) previously. This provides Veeda with access to oncology cohorts in India and Europe and with exclusive access to eligible patient pools. This supports Veeda's aim to maintain a competitive edge in the CRO sector while delivering services to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical clients globally. About Veeda Lifesciences: Veeda Lifesciences (Veeda Clinical Research Limited) platform provides a comprehensive portfolio of services across various stages of the drug development value chain to support small and medium biotech and pharmaceutical companies with capabilities ranging from non-clinical and pre-clinical development to clinical pharmacology and clinical trials across different modalities. Visit: About Mango Sciences: Mango Sciences is a healthcare data and AI technology company dedicated to transforming patient care through advanced data analytics and solutions. Founded by industry veterans with extensive experience in healthcare, life sciences, and data analytics, Mango Sciences is driven by a passion for improving patient representation and access to comprehensive healthcare. Visit: Disclaimer: Veeda Clinical Research Limited (the "Company") is proposing, subject to receipt of requisite approvals, market conditions and other considerations, a public issue of its equity shares soon and is in the process of filing a draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India. This document is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from the Company and will contain detailed information about the Company and management, as well as financial statements. The Company does not intend to register any part of the offering in the United States.
The Wire
08-07-2025
- The Wire
Veeda Lifesciences announces partnership with Mango Sciences to bring AI innovation in clinical trials services
AHMEDABAD, India, July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Veeda Lifesciences, a global contract research organization (CRO), has announced an investment in Mango Sciences, a Boston-based healthcare AI and data company. Through this investment, Veeda intends to leverage AI capabilities to enhance the speed, efficiency, and quality of Clinical Trials services across its expanded global network, enabling more diverse, efficient recruitment and globally representative patient selection. By leveraging Mango Sciences' AI-powered Querent™ platform, Veeda will effectively use technology to automate patient identification with precision and expand its reach across Europe. "Our partnership will transform Veeda into an AI-driven oncology drug development organization, meeting the growing demand for diversity in clinical trials, which is in line with the expectations of regulators and pharmaceutical companies. We will be one of only a few CROs focused in Oncology with access to this proprietary technology," said Dr. Mahesh Bhalgat, Group CEO and Managing Director, Veeda Clinical Research Limited. This partnership promotes Veeda's objectives of investing in technology modernization and digital transformation to enhance operational efficiency and quality assurance across its clinical research operations. By deploying the AI-powered Querent™ platform, Veeda will streamline processes, improve data management capabilities, and ensure higher quality standards through broader representation of non-Caucasian populations. This will enhance clinical trial efficiency through advanced data analytics—improving patient matching, trial design, and monitoring while reducing costs and timelines. Dr. Mohit Misra, Founder & CEO of Mango Sciences, added, "We are integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative-AI into Querent™ to drive operational efficiencies and improve real-world evidence, ultimately identifying the right drug for the right patient." Veeda has strengthened its position as a tech-enabled, AI-driven CRO through strategic investments and the acquisition of Health Data Specialists (Heads) previously. This provides Veeda with access to oncology cohorts in India and Europe and with exclusive access to eligible patient pools. This supports Veeda's aim to maintain a competitive edge in the CRO sector while delivering services to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical clients globally. About Veeda Lifesciences: Veeda Lifesciences (Veeda Clinical Research Limited) platform provides a comprehensive portfolio of services across various stages of the drug development value chain to support small and medium biotech and pharmaceutical companies with capabilities ranging from non-clinical and pre-clinical development to clinical pharmacology and clinical trials across different modalities. Visit: About Mango Sciences: Mango Sciences is a healthcare data and AI technology company dedicated to transforming patient care through advanced data analytics and solutions. Founded by industry veterans with extensive experience in healthcare, life sciences, and data analytics, Mango Sciences is driven by a passion for improving patient representation and access to comprehensive healthcare. Visit: Disclaimer: Veeda Clinical Research Limited (the "Company") is proposing, subject to receipt of requisite approvals, market conditions and other considerations, a public issue of its equity shares soon and is in the process of filing a draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India. This document is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from the Company and will contain detailed information about the Company and management, as well as financial statements. The Company does not intend to register any part of the offering in the United States. Logo: (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Can ashwagandha boost memory and thinking? Study unlocks unknown potential of this herb
Ashwagandha can improve memory and slow down cognitive decline in people, says a recent study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. The study, published on March 18, 2025, observed that when ashwagandha was standardised with a compound called sominone, it can demonstrate significant benefits for brain health. Also read | What is ashwagandha and what does it do? Here's all you need to know about the Ayurvedic superfood Ashwagandha helps to improving brain health.(Shutterstock) The study observed that the participants who took ashwagandha for two months demonstrated better results in memory and spatial reasoning than the ones who took a placebo. Also, no significant side effects were reported by the participants. The study was conducted on 40 people with MCI. MCI refers to mild cognitive impairment that leads to declining memory and thinking skills that are noticeable but are mild in nature, so as to not interfere with daily life. Participants between the ages of 25 and 65 were chosen for the study. The participants were randomly assigned to consume either 250 mg of Somin-On™ or a placebo capsule once daily for 60 days. Even the study authors were unaware who is consuming what. Also read | Study says Ashwagandha boosts brainpower and eases stress in just 60 minutes Ashwagandha helps in improving memory.(Shutterstock) With multiple standardised tools, the cognitive function of the participants was studied to understand the effect on their memory and thinking skills. Changes in immediate memory, general memory, working memory, attention, and visuospatial processing were recorded. The results were surprising: The results demonstrated that participants who consumed the herbal tablet showed more positive results across all domains than the ones who consumed the placebo. The results started showing up within 30 days after the medication was prescribed to them. However, in 60 days, the results were more significant with the least side effects. In the paper, the researchers noted, 'Subjects treated with Somin-On™ showed significant improvements in immediate memory, general memory, working memory and visuospatial processing. The supplementation of Somin-On is an effective therapy to improve the immediate, general and working memory, as well as cognitive functions like attention and information processing speed in adults with MCI.' Also read | Can ashwagandha cause liver damage? Doctor warns against possible side effects of supplements: 'Risk is higher if...' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
