Guwahati, June 25: In a boost to sustainable manufacturing and circular economy in Northeast, the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) to establish plant-based vegan leather manufacturing units across the region.
The agreement, signed in the presence of CSIR Director General Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, enables the transfer of CSIR-NIIST’s pioneering vegan leather technology—developed from agro-waste such as banana pseudostem, pineapple leaves, and rice straw—to NECTAR. The move aims to set up common facility centres and decentralised units in Meghalaya and other northeastern states to empower farmers, MSMEs, and women-led self-help groups to convert agricultural residues into high-value, eco-friendly products.
Highlighting the urgency to tackle agro-waste, Dr. Kalaiselvi noted that “biomass like rice straw and fruit waste is often burned or dumped, contributing to pollution and biodiversity loss. This technology reduces the use of toxic chemicals by 50–70% compared to synthetic leather and represents a cleaner, greener alternative.”
Aligned with the national missions of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Swachh Bharat, the initiative is expected to catalyse grassroots entrepreneurship, create livelihood opportunities, and promote environmentally responsible production in the ecologically sensitive Northeast.
NECTAR will spearhead implementation by setting up manufacturing hubs and offering technical and entrepreneurial support—particularly to women entrepreneurs—to scale production and market-ready solutions.
In a parallel development, CSIR-NIIST also signed a Joint Declaration of Intent with GIZ India under the Indo-German Energy Programme to establish a Centre of Excellence for Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). This upcoming facility will drive research, training, and standardisation of solar-integrated infrastructure such as photovoltaic walls, roofs, and windows, helping India unlock over 309 GW of clean energy potential.
Also Read: Meghalaya CM to Meet US Ambassador Over ‘Incorrect’ Travel Advisory
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
