IndiaPosted at: Jun 23 2025 7:15PM


CSIR Labs join hands to set up vegan leather units in Northeast

New Delhi, June 23 (UNI): In a significant step towards promoting sustainable technologies and a circular economy in India’s Northeast, two premier CSIR institutions have partnered to establish plant-based vegan leather manufacturing units in the region.

The CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, on Monday inked a pact with the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), an autonomous body under the Department of Science & Technology, to facilitate the initiative.

The agreement enables the transfer of CSIR-NIIST's innovative vegan leather technology, developed from agro-waste, to NECTAR. The aim is to set up common facility centres and manufacturing units in Meghalaya and other northeastern states, supporting local farmers, MSMEs, and women-led self-help groups.

The MoU was exchanged between Dr C Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST, and Dr Arun Kumar Sarma, Director, NECTAR, in the presence of Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR, at a formal ceremony held at CSIR Headquarters in New Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kalaiselvi highlighted the urgency of addressing the growing agro-waste crisis in the region. “Agricultural residues such as rice straw, banana, and pineapple waste are often burned or discarded, contributing to pollution and biodiversity loss. CSIR-NIIST’s technology offers a sustainable alternative, converting this biomass into eco-friendly vegan leather,” she said.

The plant-based leather developed by CSIR-NIIST replaces 50–70 percent of the chemicals used in conventional synthetic leather, significantly reducing the industry’s environmental footprint.

Under the MoU, NECTAR will spearhead on-ground implementation, focusing on inclusive development and economic upliftment of local communities, especially women entrepreneurs.

The initiative is seen as a model for integrating science with sustainability and livelihood generation, while also addressing climate challenges through value-added utilization of agricultural waste. UNI AJ SSP
Tags: #CSIR Labs join hands to set up vegan leather units in Northeast
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