TDB-DST Supports Shahi Fab for Development & Commercialization of Fibre from Industrial Hemp

The request for proposals aims to make Indian cities waste-free while also generating revenue from waste through technological interventions (i.e., 'Waste to Wealth'). The Technological Development Board signed the programme's initial agreement on March 28.

TDB (Technology Development Board) signed a deal with M/s Sahi Fab Private Limited, New Delhi, for the production and commercialization of 'Agricultural waste of stem materials such as industrial hemp, flax, and nettle, among others, into fibre'.

The board has pledged USD 1.38 million towards the overall project cost of USD 2.08 million. Industrial Hemp (iHemp) is composed of Cannabis Sativa types that contain less than 0.3% Tetra Hydro Cannabinol (THC). The small brown seeds (iHemp) are a high-nutritional food that contains protein, fibre, and good fatty acids such as Omega-3s and Omega-6s, which assist to reduce symptoms of various diseases and improve the health of the heart, skin, and joints.

Furthermore, due to its composition of cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, and lignin, the stem possesses a variety of properties such as antibacterial properties and UV ray protection. It uses less water in cultivation than cotton, emits less carbon dioxide, uses less energy, and has better carbon sequestration than cotton and polyester fibre.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of technology, it has remained underutilized despite being a good source of sustainable and environmentally friendly fibre as well as one of the strongest and most durable natural textile fibres.

So, in order to generate money from unutilized garbage, the company devised a unique approach that involves making fiber/fibrous products from this waste in three processes, as follows: Decortication: The hemp stem is treated using the Decorticator machine, which was created in-house.

Wet processing: Using high temperature high pressure (HTHP) equipment, the extracted fibre is treated with alkali / enzymes. Fiber Processing: The treated fibre is carded and can be processed in a variety of ways, one of which is needle punching (non- woven). The fibre collected from the stem will not only contribute to the circular economy, but will also increase farmers' revenue by approximately 7 times.

Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, stated on the occasion, "TDB has been a leader in assisting new indigenous technology targeted at improving the Ease of Living for the Common Man. Several start-ups are pushing into new industries and, as a result, require financial aid to succeed. M/s Sahi Fab is one such start-up that is creating fibre from agricultural waste that has previously gone untapped owing to a lack of technology."