Selected
2020 Health Security & Pandemics

Jute-based biodegradable PPE

Jute-polymer based, recyclable, biodegradable, oligo-chitosan coated personal protective equipment for healthcare workers

Team Leader
Mehjabin Tishan Mahfuz
Jute-polymer based, recyclable, biodegradable, oligo-chitosan coated personal protective equipment for healthcare workers

Solution Pitch

The Problem

The current stockpile of PPE is insufficient to meet the requirements of a global health disaster. Conventional PPE is also often single-use and non-degradable, contributing to environmental pollution globally.

The Solution

Dr. Mubarak Ahmad Khan has invented a material made of jute cellulose (a plant fiber) which can be used to produce an environmentally-friendly version of personal protective equipment (PPE). This non-toxic and biodegradable material can be chemically modified to maintain its structure for days at a time while still dissolving in water when ready for disposal. Dr. Khan and his team at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh are experimenting with coating these sheets with chitosan (a nontoxic and biodegradable polysaccharide derived from prawn shells) which has antimicrobial properties, for added protection against pathogens.

Stats 

In the first month of national lockdown Bangladesh produced roughly 14,500 tonnes of hazardous waste. Jute cellulose technology can help reduce the burden of plastic waste

Market Opportunity

The World Health Organization (WHO) has already declared a shortage of PPEs worldwide and conservatively estimates a requirement of 89 million surgical masks, 76 million surgical gloves, and 1.6 million medical goggles. The global PPE market is expected to reach $92.5 billion by 2025 due to increased demand by Sars and Covid-19. 

Covid-19 is not the only nor the last health crisis. In the first month of national lockdown Bangladesh produced roughly 14,500 tonnes of hazardous waste. Jute cellulose technology can help reduce the burden of plastic waste in the environment and ensure a more sustainable and affordable alternative in under resourced areas. Expansion opportunities include the global PPE market and the market to reduce plastic waste for both medical and non-medical sectors.

Organization Highlights

  • Featured in the Daily Star, the Dhaka Tribune, Biofuels Digest, and more

  • Dr Mubarak Ahmad Khan’s biodegradable PPE spotlighted on The Sustainable Trade Initiative’s PPE Dashboard

Partnership Goals

The Jute-based biodegradable PPE team currently seeks:

  • A  mentor to help craft their message, selling points, etc. in partnership & fundraising materials

  • Partnerships to test, manufacture, and distribute the PPE on a large scale. It’s critical that partners be open to continued collaboration with the team!

What is the name of your organization?
icddr,b
What is the name of your solution?
Jute-based biodegradable PPE
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Jute-polymer based, recyclable, biodegradable, oligo-chitosan coated personal protective equipment for healthcare workers
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Dhaka
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
Bangladesh
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
—
What specific problem are you solving?
The current stockpile of PPE is insufficient to meet the requirements of a global health disaster. Conventional PPE is also often single-use and non-degradable, contributing to environmental pollution globally.
What is your solution?
Dr. Mubarak Ahmad Khan has invented a material made of jute cellulose (a plant fiber) which can be used to produce an environmentally-friendly version of personal protective equipment (PPE). This non-toxic and biodegradable material can be chemically modified to maintain its structure for days at a time while still dissolving in water when ready for disposal. Dr. Khan and his team at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh are experimenting with coating these sheets with chitosan (a nontoxic and biodegradable polysaccharide derived from prawn shells) which has antimicrobial properties, for added protection against pathogens.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
The PPE is targeted primarily towards the healthcare providers who come in contact with infectious patients. This single-use PPE will protect both the caregivers and prevent transmission of infection from one patient to another. The lack of proper protection to first-responders and other caregivers puts them at a greater risk as well increases the likelihood of infecting the caregivers and other healthy persons in their contact. The recent covid-19 pandemic has put many doctors and medical professionals under quarantine after potential exposure to infected patients. We will modify the designs based on their feedback to develop a comfortable, functional, and acceptable PPE from jute polymer. Given the proper funding and opportunity, the jute cellulose sheets can be coated with chitosan and sealed with heat or other bio-sealants in the shape of PPE.

Solver Team

Organization Type:
Non-Profit

Headquarters:
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Stage:
Prototype

Working in:
Bangladesh

Employees:
15-20

Website:
https://solve.mit.edu/challenges/health-security-pandemics/solutions/20318

Solution Team:
Mehjabin Tishan Mahfuz
Mehjabin Tishan Mahfuz
Research Investigator