IIT-Guwahati makes car materials from bamboo to replace plastics
IIT-Guwahati researchers have built strong, eco-friendly materials from Bambusa tulda bamboo and biodegradable polymers, aiming to replace plastic in car interiors.
Led by Professor Poonam Kumari, the project supports Make in India and pushes for greener tech.
Cubist researchers tested fouregionst of the new material
The team put four versions through 17 tough tests—think strength, heat resistance, and moisture.
After tweaking with alkali treatments to boost durability, they landed on a bio-based epoxy composite called FormuLite.
It stood out for its solid performance and reasonable price (₹4,300/kg).
The team is now working on scaling up production
These new materials aren't just for dashboards—they could swap wood or metal in electronics, aerospace parts, even buildings.
The team's now checking their full environmental impact and working on scaling up production so industries can actually use them soon.