Amazon India has entered into a research collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee to develop innovative packaging materials from agricultural waste, marking a significant step towards sustainable operations and circular economy practices. The project focuses on creating non-wood paper technology by converting crop residues such as wheat straw and bagasse into strong, lightweight paper mailers. These recyclable and home-compostable packaging solutions aim to reduce dependence on virgin wood pulp and address the persistent issue of stubble burning by diverting agricultural waste into productive use. The initiative could also open up new income streams for farmers by creating a market for crop residues.
The collaboration with IIT Roorkee’s Department of Paper and Packaging Technology will begin with laboratory-scale development and testing over a 15-month period. Subject to successful performance results, Amazon will support industrial trials, process validation and commercial production by mid to late next year. The research will be led by Prof. Vibhore Kumar Rastogi and Dr. Anurag Kulshreshtha of the INNOPAP Lab at IIT Roorkee’s Saharanpur campus.
Amazon India Vice President of Operations Abhinav Singh said the initiative aligns with the company’s sustainability goals, noting that India generates nearly 500 million tonnes of agricultural waste annually. IIT Roorkee Director Kamal Kishore Pant described the partnership as a step towards addressing stubble burning and reducing reliance on virgin materials. In Kolkata, the development of locally sourced, sustainable packaging could strengthen supply chain efficiency in eastern India. As Kolkata serves as a major logistics and distribution hub for the region, wider adoption of such packaging may help reduce transportation costs, support regional industries, and align the city’s fast-growing e-commerce market with sustainability-driven business practices.
