
IIT-BHUdevelops eco-friendly tech to convert plastic waste into fuel
eco-friendly technology
offers a sustainable solution to the ever-growing plastic waste problem, particularly in urban areas like Varanasi.
Led by Prof Hiralal Pramanik, the research team developed a patented multiphase catalytic pyrolysis reactor that uses low-cost, natural catalysts synthesised from river clay. This innovative system converts commonly discarded plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene into diesel and kerosene-range fuel oils.
Prof Pramanik said that this pioneering work is rooted in the pressing environmental challenges faced by the city of Varanasi, where improper disposal of plastic waste led to numerous problems, including frequent waterlogging caused by clogged drainage systems, death of cows that consume plastic mixed with vegetable waste, and the long-term contamination of soil and water bodies due to non-biodegradable nature of plastics. By turning plastic waste into valuable fuel, this technology not only recovers energy but also provides a
sustainable waste management
solution that can significantly improve urban hygiene, animal safety, and environmental health.
The research, which involved extensive field surveys of Varanasi's waste dumping zones, demonstrates the potential of this low-cost and scalable solution to be implemented in other cities as well.
With an Indian patent already granted and recognition in prestigious international journals such as Waste Management and the International Journal of Energy Research, this innovation marks a major step toward cleaner cities and greener energy. The team is now working on scaling the technology for commercial production, envisioning a future where waste-to-energy solutions play a key role in nation-building and environmental conservation.
IIT-BHU Director Prof Amit Patra praised the outstanding research work of Prof Hiralal Pramanik and his team, calling it a commendable contribution toward sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Mann ki Baat: PM Modi lauds rising interest of youth in space, start-ups
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the growing interest among students and the youth in the field of space, science, sports and start-ups, saying the space journey of Subhanshu Shukla and the earlier launch of Chandrayaan-3 has created a new curiosity among children about space science while the stellar performance of our sportspersons has encouraged more young people to excel. These developments have led to the rise of start-ups in the two areas, he said. In his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' address, the Prime Minister said that in the last few weeks, a lot of events have taken place in the field of sports, science and culture which have made every Indian proud. "Recently, there was a lot of talk in the country over Shubhanshu Shukla's return from space. As soon as Shubhanshu landed safely on earth, people jumped with joy... a wave of happiness rippled through every heart. The entire country was filled with pride. I remember, when Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed in August 2023, a new ambience was created in the country. A new curiosity also arose among children about science and space," Modi said. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Leadership Digital Marketing Others healthcare Data Science MBA Artificial Intelligence CXO Project Management Product Management Data Analytics Design Thinking Operations Management PGDM Healthcare Finance Cybersecurity others MCA Public Policy Degree Management Technology Data Science Skills you'll gain: Duration: 18 Weeks 109820388 Strategic Marketing for Leaders: Leveraging AI for Growth Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML SLP India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode SEPO - IIMK CEO Programme India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Indore Executive Programme in Business Management Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK-Women Leadership Programme INDIA Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK EPIS Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Financial Accounting & Analysis Financial Instruments & Markets Corporate Finance & Valuation Investment Management & Banking Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode IIMK Professional Certificate in Financial Analysis and Financial Management Starts on Mar 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 22 Weeks Indian School of Business SEPO - ISB Venture Capital & Private Equity India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Opportunities & Outlining Plans to use AI & ML Applying Data-Driven Business Innovation Best Practices Changing Culture to Integrate AI-Enabled Technologies Ethics, Privacy and Regulations in AI & ML Duration: 20 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Leadership in AI Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Strategic Thinking & Planning Competitive Advantage & Market Positioning Strategic Leadership & Decision-Making Change Management & Organizational Transformation Duration: 1 Year IIM Kozhikode IIMK Advanced Strategic Management Programme Starts on Mar 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Senior Management Programme Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Advanced Strategic Management Programme Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Critical Thinking & Decision-Making Skills Power of Emerging Technologies Innovation and Drive Organizational Change Fostering a Culture of Innovation Duration: 9 Months MIT xPRO MIT Technology Leadership and Innovation Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
ICT Mumbai biocluster receives catalytic funding to boost translational biopharma research
Mumbai: In a significant boost to India's translational research ecosystem, ICT Mumbai's Biocluster secured Rs 30 crore in catalytic funding from the Indian Translational Research Institute (ITRI). The translational biopharmaceutical facility aims to bridge the gap between lab-stage research and clinical application. The eight-storey cluster will focus on rare diseases, synthetic biology, and AI-driven drug development. It will house a GMP-ready biologics pilot plant, shared R&D infrastructure, and advanced training zones for workforce development. Dr Ratnesh Jain, Principal Investigator of the project, said the Biocluster aims to make Indian biopharma globally competitive. ITRI CEO Dr Abdur Rub emphasised the need to de-risk innovation and scale healthcare solutions. Positioned as a national translational platform, the Mumbai Biocluster seeks to empower startups, academia, and industry alike—enabling faster, capital-efficient transitions from research to real-world impact. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
SCL fabricates 20 indigenous semiconductor chips designed by students
36 more chips designed by students in the pipeline Aashish Aryan New Delhi Listen to This Article The Semiconductor Lab (SCL) at Mohali has completed the fabrication of 20 semiconductor chips designed by students from across 17 Indian engineering institutes, including the Indian Institute of Technology at Jammu and Indore, sources said. These chips are now ready for tape-out and will soon be tested, the sources told Business Standard. In addition to these, 36 more chips designed in India by students are at various stages of fabrication at SCL, and are likely to be ready for tape-out in the next six months, they added. SCL Mohali had started offering end-to-end fabrication, testing and packaging support for chip