Taking forward the spirit & vision of our Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi and joining him in the drive to eliminate single-use plastic, a Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh campus; student Pranav Goyal (B.Tech, 2nd Year), has invented a purely biodegradable and environment-friendly substitute for the purpose. As per his invention, starch extracted from potato waste is used to make pallets which can be further used to manufacture biodegradable products like straw, spoons, forks, plates, carry bags and water bottles.

Congratulating Pranav on his ‘game-changing’ invention, Hon’ble Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor, Chitkara University Himachal Pradesh; said, “Chitkara University provides the NextGen with the right platform in the form of education, a world-class incubator, mentors and funding, to come up with innovative solutions to society’s problems and make a real difference. Pranav’s invention is indeed incredible and encouraging for the cause to save our planet.”

Chitkara student Pranav Goyal worked along with his mentors – Ms. Abha Sharma, CEED & Mr. Sumeer Walia, Director-CEED (Centre for Entrepreneurship), Chitkara University; The invention has been developed under the company SPM Bioplastic, which is incubated at Explore Hub, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh. Centre for Entrepreneurship Education & Development (CEED) encourages and motivates students to be part of the start-up ecosystem and promotes the ideas. The Incubator has successfully incubated over 100 start-ups and continues to make dreams a reality.

According to the Pranav, the aim of this invention is to replace petroleum-based plastic products which are a major contributing factor to pollution. Explaining the process, Pranav said, “We use starch extracted from potato waste and centrifuging it to form another material which can be used as a raw material in place of plastic products. The product is 100% biodegradable and environment-friendly. We basically make pallets of the starch, feed it into the extruder and then mould it into different shapes of products.” Pranav’s sister Saloni Goyal is a co-founder.

Ecstatic to file his first Patent, Pranav Goyal exclaimed, “I believe as inventors we should be very conscious about designing a product that is true to the form, function and, most importantly, the footprint. This was the driving force behind my research and invention.” Pranav has won cash prizes for his invention from Reliance TUP 4.0 and at Start-up Day Contest from CEED.

Pranav’s story is truly an inspiring one for his fellow students – and a testimony to the fact that “when a really great idea shows up, grab it, and don’t stop until you make it a reality!”