What is the name of your organization?
Applied Bioplastics
What is the name of your solution?
Jutin: Jute Polymer Composite
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Sustainable, fire-retardant housing solution made from jute and polymer to support climate-resilient housing and employment in vulnerable communities.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Austin, TX, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
United States
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Vulnerable communities worldwide a critical shortage of affordable, durable, and sustainable housing materials. Conventional options such as metal sheets, fiberglass, and concrete are expensive, prone to corrosion in saline and coastal environments, and have a high carbon footprint. The growing impacts of climate change have intensified the need for infrastructure that is resilient, accessible, and environmentally conscious.
In Bangladesh alone, millions live in disaster-prone coastal zones where traditional construction materials degrade rapidly due to saline air. Over 1 million Rohingya refugees also face severe shelter challenges. Globally, rising sea levels and forced migration make this issue increasingly urgent. Meanwhile, the construction sector lacks scalable, eco-friendly alternatives that can be locally produced with minimal infrastructure.
Natural fibers like jute, of which approximately 3.6 million tons are produced annually, remain significantly underutilized. The key challenge lies in transforming this renewable resource into a practical, high-impact material.
Our solution addresses these interconnected problems by offering a sustainable, cost-effective, corrosion- and saline-resistant composite sheet made from jute and polymer. Suitable for roofs, walls, and furniture, it also promotes rural job creation and supports carbon-neutral development goals.
What is your solution?
Jutin is a jute-reinforced polymer composite sheet designed for applications in roofing, coverings, sanitation, and furniture. It is produced by bonding hessian cloth (jute fabric) with a specially formulated polymer resin and enhanced with surface treatments such as UV/gamma radiation exposure and fire-retardant additives. With high tensile strength (150 MPa), bending strength (165 MPa), and excellent impact resistance (68 kJ/m²), Jutin performs well in demanding environments.
The material is non-corrosive, resistant to saline air, thermally insulating (0.05 to 0.07 W/m·K), fire-retardant, and protected against UV and gamma radiation. This makes it ideal for coastal and disaster-prone areas. Jutin has already been deployed in Rohingya refugee camps and coastal regions of Bangladesh by organizations such as Caritas, icddr,b, and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
We are now incorporating Jutin into a modular floating housing system made from snap-fit interlocking parts that require no tools to assemble. These homes are designed to rise with floodwaters and return to ground as waters recede, providing a passive and resilient solution for flood-prone communities. We're also integrating solar photovoltaic cells into the roofing sheets, enabling off-grid energy generation for lighting, water pumps, and phone charging—especially vital in post-disaster and remote areas.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Jutin supports underserved populations facing climate risk, displacement, and energy poverty, particularly in coastal regions and refugee camps. These communities, including the Rohingya in Bangladesh, often live in unsafe, temporary shelters in areas vulnerable to rising sea levels, cyclones, and salinity intrusion. Jutin provides a durable, weather-resistant solution for roofs, walls, and sanitation. Its corrosion- and salt-resistant properties make it ideal for coastal areas, while its fire-retardant and insulating qualities enhance safety and comfort. It can be produced locally and by hand, lowering transport costs and creating jobs in rural communities.
In extreme weather like cyclones and hurricanes, conventional metal roofing often becomes dangerous debris due to its sharp, easily torn edges. Jutin’s heavier edges provide better anchorage, and if damaged, the sheet moves as a whole rather than tearing which reduces injury risk and improves safety.
This solution strengthens both physical and energy security, creates rural jobs, and builds long-term community resilience. Jutin empowers people to live safely, sustainably, and with dignity in the face of climate change.
