Amazon India has announced a research collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee to develop innovative packaging solutions made from agricultural waste, aimed at reducing dependence on virgin wood pulp and curbing stubble burning. Under the project, crop residues such as wheat straw and bagasse will be converted into high-quality pulp to produce strong, lightweight paper mailers comparable to conventional paper packaging. The initiative seeks to divert agricultural waste from burning, reduce imports of virgin wood pulp, and create additional income opportunities for farmers by building a market for crop residues.
The collaboration with IIT Roorkee’s Department of Paper and Packaging Technology will begin with laboratory-scale research and testing over a 15-month period. Subject to successful results, Amazon will support industrial trials, process validation, and commercial production by mid to late next year. Amazon India Vice President of Operations Abhinav Singh said the initiative supports a circular economy by repurposing nearly 500 million tonnes of agricultural waste generated annually in India. IIT Roorkee Director Kamal Kishore Pant said the project aligns with national sustainability missions and addresses both stubble burning and material dependence.
In Kolkata, the initiative could significantly benefit eastern India’s logistics and packaging ecosystem. With Amazon shipping to over 300 cities, including major eastern hubs, sustainable and locally sourced packaging materials may help reduce costs and improve supply chain efficiency in the Kolkata market, which serves as a key distribution gateway for the region.