New Delhi: IIT Madras is collaborating with JK Fenner (India) Limited for the research and development of a biodegradable alternative to elastomers or rubber goods used in the manufacture of a variety of utilitarian goods.
As part of its CSR activities, JK Fenner is funding this study endeavour in IIT Madras. The CSR funding will also be used to assist research into the modification of natural fibres such as cotton and hemp, among others, to replace synthetic materials in belts.
In a statement, IIT Madras said, “This research is vital as although natural rubber is biodegradable, the finished product is slow to biodegrade, in part, due to the presence of non-degradable chemical units that function as molecular bridges".
"Most synthetic rubbers are also not amenable to biodegradation due to their structural feature, which consists of carbon-carbon single bonds in the backbone. Hence, the finished rubber product after its service life remains without much structural degradation for a long period of time,” it added.
Through their study, an IIT Madras research team led by Professor R Dhamodharan of the Department of Chemistry hopes to address this issue by researching and developing effective, biodegradable molecular bridges as an alternative.
Highlighting the significance of this CSR funding, Professor Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras said,” We are proud to partner with JK Fenner, an industry leader, on this impactful CSR initiative. We jointly believe that CSR invested in technology development is a sound way to ensure a more sustainable tomorrow for all of us.”
IT Madras, Nagaraju Srirama President and Director, J K Fenner (India) Limited, said, “JK Fenner India Limited is happy to partner with IIT Madras, the premier research institute in the country for developing the next generation rubber which is going to be biodegradable and environment-friendly. This research will set a new direction in the rubber industry (belts or hoses) which will be environmentally friendly and will support our initiative towards a sustainable future.”
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