From Effluents To Electricity: Startup By IIT-Madras Alumni Uses Microbes To Treat Waste Dumped By Tanneries

A startup by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras alumni has managed to efficiently treat the effluents discharged by tanneries and dyeing units using microbial fuel cell. The technology uses micro-organisms to break down the chemicals in effluents and produce electricity.

The startup JSP Enviro ventured into cleantech business two years ago in 2016, and has orchestrated Research and Development (R&D) teams at the institute in order to produce new technologies for water treatment.

The startup is involved in the treatment and recycling of industrial wastewater, landscaping and beautification projects, restoration of polluted water bodies, etc. Currently, the startup is restoring 30-acre lake at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.

“It will create a great impact in waste and energy sectors. If implemented on a large scale, we can aim to achieve high energy savings,” said V T Fidal Kumar, the founder of JSP Enviro, as reported by Times of India.

The company now aims to step into the dyeing industry where they would seek to target small dyeing units in India, which cannot afford sizeable common effluent treatment plants on their premises.