Ukhi: pioneering sustainability and innovation.
Recognition
Ukhi has gained widespread recognition for its impact on sustainability, earning accolades from global and national platforms. From being featured in top media and international summits to receiving prestigious awards from industry leaders and government bodies, Ukhi continues to drive change in plastic recycling, waste management, and climate action. Key achievements include:
Recognized for Impact, Driven by Sustainability.
UKHI
UHKI proudly chaired the inaugural European Biopolymers Conference in Rome on November 13–14, 2025. John Scott introduced Ukhi to global delegates, as experts showcased advancements in biopolymer applications from sports to water purification. With these diverse innovations, UHKI is poised to deliver tailored biopolymer solutions and strengthen collaborations across Europe.
UKHI at the Green Returns Summit 2025
Ukhi proudly participated in the Green Returns Summit 2025 hosted by IVCA. CEO Vishal Vivek engaged with SIDBI Chairman Shri Manoj Mittal, highlighting Ukhi’s next-generation biopolymer granules. Reconnecting with SIDBI reinforced their early support, strengthening our mission to drive sustainable innovation and build a regenerative, plastic-free future.
Ukhi’s Founder, Mr. Vishal Vivek, had the honour of speaking at Chandigarh University, Lucknow Campus, in the presence of Shri Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’, Cabinet Minister for Industrial Development, Shri Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO of MeitY Startup Hub, and Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor of Chandigarh University and Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha. He shared his entrepreneurial journey and Ukhi’s vision for driving sustainable innovation in India.
Ukhi signs MoU with IIT Guhawati
Ukhi recently signed an MoU with IIT Guwahati to advance innovation in sustainable packaging. Within a week, Ukhi developed compostable bioplastic bags, which were adopted by the easternmost railway zone to replace single-use plastics on trains. This swift execution demonstrates Ukhi’s ability to create real-world impact in record time. The achievement gained national recognition, with Ukhi being featured in The Hindu for its contribution to India’s sustainability movement.
In a major step toward advancing sustainability and innovation in the packaging industry, the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ukhi, a leading provider of sustainable and compostable material solutions. The collaboration aims to promote research, development, and adoption of eco-friendly packaging alternatives, driving India’s transition toward a circular economy while reducing dependence on single-use plastics and fostering innovation in the bioplastics and compostable materials sector.
UKHI, India’s pioneering bio-polymers platform, has appointed Mr. Aniruddha Mullick Bose, former Director at Sequoia Capital India (now Peak XV), to its Advisory Board—marking a key step in its mission to become the world’s lowest-cost producer of biodegradable polymers from agricultural waste.
Ukhi's Compostable Bio-Plastic Bags replace Single-use Plastics on Eastern Railway Trains
Ukhi & IIT Pioneer Sustainable Sanitation with Successful Indian Railways Pilot
Ukhi, in a strategic collaboration with IIT Guwahati, has successfully developed and piloted specialized antimicrobial biopolymer compounds for Indian Railways. These innovative materials were used to manufacture eco-friendly bags that are not only biodegradable and compostable but also actively inhibit the growth of microbes and bacteria.
This pioneering initiative, which marks a significant step towards enhancing hygiene and sustainability in public transport, has garnered widespread recognition and was extensively covered by leading national media outlets. The successful pilot demonstrates a viable, sustainable solution for waste management, aligning with national health and environmental goals.
On World Environment Day, H.E. Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India, shared and retweeted Ukhi’s post announcing the launch of EcoGran, an innovative compostable material developed from agricultural waste. The product was inaugurated by the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), marking a milestone in sustainable innovation
Ukhi’s Co-Founder & CEO, Vishal Vivek, engaged in an inspiring interaction with students and faculty at the Vishwesvaraya Group of Institutions, sharing insights on innovation and sustainability. He shared the stage with MSME Assistant Director Rajesh Bharti and Dr. B.P. Singh, emphasizing the role of entrepreneurship in driving India’s green transition.wn niche kahi bhi but not on top
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology, served as the Chief Guest, with the unveiling led by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, Government of India. The event was attended by global dignitaries including Ms. Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Netherlands, H.E. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark, Mrs. Anita Gupta, and Mr. Anil Singh.
Ukhi is redefining sustainable packaging with EcoGran™, a 100% compostable and biodegradable biopolymer made from agricultural waste. By working closely with farmers in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, Ukhi is replacing traditional plastics with eco-innovations that protect the environment, enhance soil health, and empower rural communities through sustainable income generation and green entrepreneurship.
TRANSFORMING AGRICULTURAL WASTE INTO BIODEGRADABLE GOLD:
In a conversation with YourStory’s founder Shradha Sharma, UKHI Co-founder Vishal Vivek shared how UKHI’s circular innovation converts farm waste into bioplastics, uplifting farmers by ₹15,000 per acre while eliminating plastic pollution through sustainable production at 140 tons per month.
Our strategic partnership with DCGpac brings EcoGran™️ biopolymers to businesses nationwide through India’s most trusted B2B packaging platform. This collaboration combines cutting-edge material science with proven distribution excellence to drive India’s circular economy transformation.
Shri Harsh Malhotra, Hon’ble Minister of State in Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, inaugurated the 5th International Summit for Packaging Industry (ISPI 2025), organised by the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP).
IFFCO R&D Team and Board Members visitis Ukhi's Manufacturing Facility
Ukhi recently hosted the IFFCO R&D team for an in-depth review of its EcoGran™ production process and manufacturing capabilities. The visit aimed to explore long-term supply partnerships and validate Ukhi’s production quality, reinforcing its position as a trusted leader in sustainable materials.
Dr. Tanveer Alam, Additional Director at the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), visited Ukhi’s manufacturing facility to review the complete EcoGran™ production process. He commended Ukhi’s technological innovation, superior production quality, and strong scalability potential in advancing sustainable material solutions for the packaging industry and beyond
Ukhi is proud to welcome Dr. Tanweer Alam, Additional Director of the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), to our Board of Directors. A distinguished packaging scientist and academic, Dr. Alam brings decades of unparalleled expertise in packaging technology, materials science, and sustainability standards.
His leadership at IIP, the nation’s premier body for packaging research and education, has been instrumental in shaping the industry. Dr. Alam’s guidance will be pivotal as we scale our innovative bio-polymer solutions, ensuring they meet the highest technical and performance benchmarks. We are honoured to leverage his profound knowledge to accelerate our mission of replacing single-use plastics.
Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma is a pioneering force in India’s startup ecosystem. He is the Co-founder of Venture Catalysts, India’s first integrated incubator, and 9Unicorns, a leading accelerator fund. As the President of TiE Mumbai, he actively fosters entrepreneurship across the nation.
Renowned for his visionary investing, Dr. Sharma has mentored over 500 startups and helped build 11 unicorns, including OYO and BharatPe. His expertise in scaling early-stage, sustainable ventures is a perfect match for Ukhi’s mission. We are honoured to welcome him to our board, where his guidance will be instrumental in our next phase of growth.
Mr. Anil Singh, General Manager of IIT Mandi, praised Ukhi’s EcoGran as “a true packaging market disruptor”—a material derived from 40+ agricultural waste products. With support from DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar, EcoGran’s World Environment Day launch marks a milestone in transforming India’s bio-innovation into global impact.
Ukhi, an IIT-funded material science company, has raised capital from industry veteran Avtar Monga and global angel investors to establish a cutting-edge bioplastic mother plant in Faridabad. Using cellulose-based agri-waste, Ukhi produces cost-effective, biodegradable plastic pellets that reduce environmental impact while boosting farmer income.
Ukhi, a pioneer in sustainable biomaterials, has secured a strategic investment from UK-based green tech veteran John Scott to accelerate its mission of replacing single-use plastics. The investment will scale Ukhi’s bioplastic production facility in Faridabad, turning agricultural waste into high-performance, compostable materials that drive a cleaner, circular economy.
Ukhi’s founder was invited by the Ministry of MSME to share his entrepreneurial journey with newly inducted IEDS officers at IIT Roorkee’s Greater Noida campus. The session highlighted Ukhi’s transformation from IT to deep-tech biomaterials, inspiring future leaders to champion innovation and sustainable enterprise.
Ukhi recently conducted a session on Packaging Entrepreneurship Development under the ITEC scheme of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The session saw participation from delegates representing 17 nations, highlighting global collaboration in sustainable packaging innovation and entrepreneurship.
It was an honor to interact with international participants of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, at the Indian Institute of Packaging.
A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Tanweer Alam for facilitating this meaningful exchange on sustainable materials and innovation.
Ukhi, a material science startup founded by Vishal Vivek, has secured funding from Avtar Monga and angel investors in India and the UK. The investment will accelerate Ukhi’s mission to convert agricultural waste into high-performance, compostable bioplastics—advancing India’s ESG goals and reducing plastic pollution.
Ukhi signs MoU with Teri to Acceleate research and innovation in sustainable materials
UKHI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to collaborate on research, innovation, and development of sustainable biopolymer technologies.
Forbes Spotlight: UKHI Featured in “The Future of Plastic Alternatives—From Lab to Market”
In Forbes’ latest coverage, UKHI was highlighted among innovators transforming agricultural waste into scalable bioplastic solutions. The feature emphasized how clear compostability standards, strong policy frameworks, and companies like UKHI are driving the global shift from single-use plastics to truly sustainable materials.
Appeared on the US TV show Meet The Drapers – Ukhi was featured on this globally recognized startup pitch show, gaining international exposure.
Selected among the top 5 startups in India to speak before the MSME Minister on MSME Day – Chosen as one of the most promising startups to present its vision and impact to the government.
Ukhi wins Leap to Unicorn award
Won the Leap to Unicorn Award by CNBC-TV18, IDFC FIRST Bank & Moneycontrol – Recognized as a high-potential startup poised for rapid growth by leading business and finance platforms.
Ukhi in Forbes' top 100 startups 2023
Featured in Forbes’ “Top 100 Startups to Watch Out for 2023” – Acknowledged as one of the most promising startups shaping the future of sustainability.
Mentioned at the International Summit 2022 on Plastic Recycling & Waste Management – Cited as an industry leader during the discussion at the 6-hour 17-minute 36-second mark.
Featured in TEDx, Economic Times, and The Print – Highlighted for its innovative contributions to sustainability and plastic waste management in leading media outlets.
Ukhi awarded by Central University of Garhwal
Won an award from Central University of Garhwal – Recognized for outstanding work in environmental sustainability by a reputed academic institution.
Authored 200+ articles on sustainability, plastic pollution, and climate change – Established as a thought leader, contributing valuable insights on pressing environmental issues.
Ukhi honored by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister
Awarded by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh – Honored by the state government for significant contributions to sustainable innovation and environmental impact.
Ukhi is proud to share that our Co-Founder & CEO, Vishal Vivek, has been featured in the inspirational book “I Did It Part 2” by Prachi Raturi, printed by the Times of India. The book celebrates stories of resilience and determination, spotlighting the journey that shaped the vision behind Ukhi’s mission to build a sustainable, circular economy.
Ukhi’s Co-Founder & CEO, Vishal Vivek, engaged in an inspiring interaction with students and faculty at the Vishwesvaraya Group of Institutions, sharing insights on innovation and sustainability. He shared the stage with MSME Assistant Director Rajesh Bharti and Dr. B.P. Singh, emphasizing the role of entrepreneurship in driving India’s green transition.wn niche kahi bhi but not on top