Bengaluru-based sustainability-based packaging solutions start-up Bambrew has developed a unique recycled paper whose strength has been increased at least six times by infusing cotton fabric in between and can recycled more than once, said Vaibhav Anant, the company’s founder.

The paper, which is recycled, has been developed through a proprietary process and Bambrew has filed for a patent for its innovation, he told businessline.

“We are the only company to develop this kind of paper in the world that enhances the strength by 6-7 times. This basically allows us to use more and more recycled paper. Earlier, recycled paper could not be used more than once,” Anant said.

One of the reasons for recycled paper not being used more than once was it was not food grade. In addition, its strength was poor.

Recycled papers are mainly used by the corrugated box industry, which supplies brown boxes for packaging of consumer, electronic and e-commerce products.

The newly developed paper can be used for packaging, including high-end ones. “We are working with many big brands such as Big Basket, 1 mg, Tatas and Myntra, . At the global level, we have set our foot in Europe, the US, Australia and the Gulf,” said Anant, who was inducted by the Ministry of Agriculture as an advisor to the Bamboo Sector Development Committee last year. Bambrew has begun working with some major FMCG companies too to replace the sachet packets for shampoos, detergents with paper-based materials that have all the properties of plastic but are 100 per cent biodegradable.

“Our products are 100 per cent plastic-free certified by the Government and Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET) as well. Inspection firms such as SGS too have certified its paper,” the company’s founder said.

Launched in 2018, Bambrew began with an annual revenue of ₹5 lakh and conversion of less than 100 kg. Today, it converts over 1,000 tonnes and its revenue has grown to ₹50 crore.Bambrew, which meets the demand of over 75 million mailer bags and 12 million carry bags to replace plastic, was formed with the vision of sustainability.

 

“It was to eradicate single use plastic, mainly straw. We chose to make bamboo straw as India is the second largest producer and supply would not be a problem,” Anant said.

The company has a manufacturing sustainable packaging unit in Bengaluru with a capacity to produce 3,000 tonnes of paper every month.