IISc’s bio-based foam moves to market with absolute cold for cold-chain packaging

INDIA – The Indian Institute of Science has licensed its eco-friendly bio-based foam technology to Absolute Cold LLP for cold-chain and temperature-controlled packaging, as the biodegradable alternative to conventional polyurethane foam moves from laboratory to commercial application.

The foam, developed by professors Suryasarathi Bose and Subodh Kumar’s team at IISc’s Department of Materials Engineering, is made from FDA-approved non-edible oils and hardeners derived from tea leaves. 

A Times of India report published helped bring Absolute Cold on board as a potential industry partner. 

The company, which operates in the cold-chain and temperature-controlled logistics sector, is now working to translate the laboratory material into a product for applications where maintaining temperature during storage and transport is critical.

A Sustainable Alternative to Conventional Packaging Foams

Conventional expanded polystyrene and polyurethane foams are non-biodegradable and often end up in landfills, contributing to environmental damage. 

The IISc foam contains dynamic covalent bonds that can be broken and reformed in response to external stimuli, allowing the material to be mechanically reprocessed or dissolved in eco-friendly solvents within hours. 

Unlike traditional foams that can take centuries to decompose, these bio-derived alternatives disintegrate safely in landfills without contaminating groundwater. 

The production of 10,000 traditional plastic foam cups results in approximately 308 kg of greenhouse gas emissions. 

The Indian foam market, valued at US$7.9 billion in 2023, is expected to grow to US$11.1 billion by 2032. 

The team has filed for a patent on the technology and has demonstrated the foam’s durability in testing, withstanding 10,000 cycles of cyclic loading, making it particularly suitable for protective packaging applications.

Commercialisation Pathway and Industry Applications

Absolute Cold’s interest in the technology was sparked by media coverage, with Bose confirming that a Times of India report helped bring a potential licensee on board. 

The company is now working to scale the material for commercial production while retaining its insulation, strength and durability. 

The licensing and scale-up process can require changes to formulation, manufacturing processes and product design even after the underlying research has been demonstrated.

The technology addresses the growing demand for sustainable packaging in the cold-chain sector, where maintaining temperature during transport is critical for pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive products.

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