Guwahati, Sept 14: The researchers at the India Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) have developed a technology to convert tea waste generated by the tea industry into a spectrum of innovative, eco-friendly products.

Led by Prof. Mihir Kumar Purkait of the Department of Chemical Engineering, the research team has undertaken pioneering research on the versatile applications of tea factory waste.

This project has emerged as a result of the Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowships by the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE).

Prof. Purkait highlighted the potential of catechin-based capsules, stating, “These capsules offer users the benefits of catechins without the need for multiple cups of green tea, catering to the increasing demand for antioxidant-rich supplements.”

Discussing the transformation of spent tea leaves into activated carbon, Prof. Purkait added, “This involves a dual-step procedure, first carbonization, followed by activation, creating a porous structure for a wide range of applications, including food grade activated carbon, natural-based abrasives, pharmaceutical ingredients, anti-pollution masks, and packaging materials.”

Aligning with the Waste to Wealth (W2W) mission of the Centre, the array of value-added products developed in their laboratory include low-cost antioxidant-rich supplements, organic preservatives, pharmaceutical super-grade activated carbon, biochar, liquefiable carbon source, micro and nano-crystalline cellulose, and carbon quantum dots.

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