THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
ROURKELA,
JULY 21, 2026
In a significant
breakthrough towards sustainable healthcare, researchers at the National
Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed a biodegradable and
antimicrobial bio-composite film that has the potential to replace conventional
plastic-based materials used in wound dressings, bandages and other biomedical
applications. The innovation, which offers an eco-friendly alternative to
petroleum-based plastics, has also been granted a patent.
The pioneering
technology was developed by researchers from the Department of Biotechnology
and Medical Engineering under the leadership of Dr. Angana Sarkar, Associate
Professor, and her research graduate Dr. Pritam Bajirao. They secured the
patent titled “Biodegradable and Antimicrobial Bio-composite Film and Process
for Preparing Thereof” for the novel material.
The innovation
addresses two pressing global challenges — the mounting burden of biomedical
plastic waste and the urgent need for sustainable healthcare materials.
Conventional wound dressings and bandages are largely manufactured using
petroleum-based plastics that are non-biodegradable and continue to pollute the
environment after disposal. While bioplastics such as polyhydroxyalkanoates
(PHAs) have emerged as promising alternatives, their commercial use has been
constrained due to their brittleness and slow degradation.
To overcome these
limitations, the NIT Rourkela team developed the bio-composite film using a
naturally occurring bioplastic produced by bacteria cultivated on sugarcane
molasses. The researchers enhanced the material's strength, flexibility and
durability by incorporating naturally extracted neem oil, resulting in a
biodegradable film ideally suited for biomedical applications.
“The developed material is completely
biodegradable and environmentally sustainable. Laboratory tests showed improved
mechanical strength, flexibility, thermal stability and hydrophobicity, making
it a promising alternative to conventionally used biomedical films,” said Dr.
Angana Sarkar.
Beyond its
environmental benefits, the innovative film also exhibits remarkable
antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. According to the researchers, the
neem oil embedded in the composite effectively inhibits bacterial growth while
creating a favourable environment that accelerates wound healing, making it an
attractive option for next-generation healthcare products.
The patented technology holds immense potential for applications in antimicrobial films, biomedical coatings, plastic-free bandages, wound dressings and several other sustainable medical products. Researchers have estimated the production cost of the bio-composite film at approximately Rs. 14.33 for a sheet measuring around 44.18 square centimetres, indicating strong prospects for economical large-scale manufacturing.
The innovation aligns with the Government of India’s flagship initiatives, including Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and the National BioE3 Policy. Researchers believe the technology could play a vital role in reducing healthcare-related plastic waste while enhancing patient safety through its natural antimicrobial properties, marking an important step towards greener and more sustainable medical care.
