Biodegradable bags made from corn starch go to Middle East

An organisation called Crystal Bio Tech in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi is making compostable eco-friendly bags from corn starch. The company has been producing these bags for one year.

Entrepreneur Iftekharul Haque established the manufacturing company in March 2022 expecting to produce eco-friendly alternatives to poly bags at affordable prices.

However, the entrepreneur is now producing eco-friendly polybags from corn starch and exporting them to the Middle East.

They manufacture bags using corn starch as raw materials. Alongside exporting them, Iftekharul also supplies them to the local markets, said local sources.

Since the production and sale of polythene bags, which are harmful to the environment, have been banned, people are looking into alternative packaging systems. While there are other biodegradable products alternative to polybags including jute fibre bags in the market, the corn starch-made bag piqued the interest of the locals.

According to related sources, the company was established in 2022 by the Rajshahi Godagari highway. Iftekharul imported the raw material and machinery for production from India.

During an on-site visit to the factory, this correspondent found six workers busy with different stages of production including the owner. The raw material is initially fed into the machine and inflated with the help of hot air to produce the bags.

The factory is about 3,000 square feet, with three units involved in production. As demand increases gradually, the entrepreneur hopes to expand his venture further and establish two more units.

Currently, the bags produced in the factory are being sold for Tk 4-10 in the local market.

Although the factory has the capacity to make 2 lakh pieces of bags per day, they are only producing a limited amount depending on the market demand.

However, Iftekharul has started exporting the bags to several countries in the Middle East including Dubai.

In response to a question, he said that although the price of bags seems high at first glance, the price will not be a barrier if we are aware of the environment.

“Environmentalists are repeatedly warning about the harmful effects of single-use plastic that is being dumped in ponds, lakes, rivers and oceans. Plastic bags are not only threatening the biodiversity but also has become a threat to human health,” he said, adding that it is high time to switch to biodegradable environment-friendly alternatives.

In regard to the bags produced in his factory, Iftekharul said they are 100 per cent biodegradable and will decompose within six months.

Compared to polyethene bags which take over hundreds of years to decompose, corn starch-made bags are easier to carry and more durable as well as environmentally friendly. The entrepreneur is optimistic that his product will become popular in no time.

According to Shahadat, a businessman in Rajshahi City, eco-friendly bags have already gained interest among local traders.

“Although the price is a little high, these organic bags are becoming popular day by day. Consumers are interested in buying the bags as they are durable and reusable,” he said.

Iftekharul expects that it is possible to expand market demand for eco-friendly bags in the country and abroad with the necessary support from the government.

“There is a huge economic potential in this industry. It will benefit the environment and prevent plastic pollution. If export is expanded, it can earn a significant amount of revenue for the country,” he said.

Rajshahi District Commissioner Shamim Ahmed told The Business Post that the district administration will provide the necessary support for the marketing or promotion campaign of this environment-friendly polythene.

He added that the administration has a strict policy about the illegal marketing of polythene and wants to boost the use of eco-friendly carrier bags.