IITians working on developing jute-based sanitary pads

Considering the prevailing menstruation-related issues among women which includes sanitation and hygiene, a unqiue development is underway by the IIT brains in close collaboration with The National Jute Board (NJB).

NJB and The Indian Institute of Technology - Kharagpur is working together on a sanitary model of jute-based sanitary pads. The special twist to the jute-based model, as claimed by the manufacturers is the fact that ‘it’ could help prevent cervical cancer.

The new model is directed correlated to the fact that menstrual hygiene plays a role in development of cervical cancer, and how the researchers believe it will be beneficial to women's personal hygiene. Also, the new line of products could revive the dying jute industry.

"We are carrying out trials and now we are trying to scale up production after initial production and encouraging feedback," NJB secretary Arvind Kumar M told IANS today.

IIT - Kharagpur scientist B Adhikary is leading the technological innovation in the project funded by the NJB.

The product is fabricated from cellulose extracted from jute and its qualities are enhanced with addition of a super-absorbent polymer.

Normally, the sanitary napkins are made of imported cotton or wood cellulose.