Let’s begin:
This is an inspiring journey of turning agriculture waste into ₹3 Cr. revenue. It all began with a game-changing idea. Rather than viewing agri-waste as a challenge, the two brothers saw it as an opportunity. By tackling this challenge, they built a successful business focused on making a global impact and creating a sustainable future through innovative waste management and eco-friendly practices.
Their innovative approach not only improved waste management but also turned a big environmental issue into a successful business of eco-friendly disposable tableware products and packaging. Now, they are on a mission to transform agriculture waste into eco-friendly disposable tableware, with the aim of replacing paper and plastic products while also making them animal-friendly.
About founders:
Meet Rishabh and Rohan Suri. The duo brothers are tackling one of the biggest problems of plastic waste. They were born and grew up in a business family. But instead of following the family business, they decided to pursue something new, driven by a strong desire to create innovation and make a positive impact.
Rishabh Suri: The CEO and co-founder of Qudrat. Rishabh enjoys surfing and exploring plant nurseries. He is deeply passionate about sustainability and green initiatives. With a visionary entrepreneurial mindset, he believes that “the greatest danger to our planet is depending on others to protect it.”
Rohan Suri: Co-founder of Qudrat, Rohan Suri holds a degree in Marine Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani. As a marine engineer, he enjoys sailing, and along with this, he is passionate about reading and nature.
Their entrepreneurial journey began with a determined goal of converting plastic waste into sustainable disposable tableware.
Inspiration behind the startup:
During a cleanup of the ocean floor at around 20 feet deep, they were shocked to discover an overwhelming amount of trash. They saw that the area was filled with aluminum foil containers and plastic debris spread everywhere. They saw that, a vast amount of plastic lie there. This compelled him to think about this waste problem.
This experience led both brothers to in-depth research, and they found that India generates over 9.46 million tons of plastic waste annually, according to a study by Un-plastic Collection (UPC).
This was deeply concerning. They thought about what could be done to address this issue. During this period, one of their uncles suggested using sugarcane bagasse to produce tableware, which sparked a revolutionary business idea. This was the turning point in their journey.
The story behind the startup:
The brothers dedicated themselves to fostering sustainability through relentless effort. They traveled throughout India researching sustainable methods for producing eco-friendly disposable tableware and raw materials.
During their journey, they met with industry leaders, government representatives, scientists, and agricultural experts to gain insights into upcycling agricultural waste like husk, straw, and sugarcane bagasse into biodegradable goods. Soon their efforts paid off, and they developed a solution.
By August 2022, they were ready to start a pilot production with initial seed money from their family. They also got ₹64 lakh in government support from Startup India, Kerala Startup Mission, and other organizations including EY GDS, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and the Buddha Foundation.
What was the solution?
In 2020, Rishabh and Rohan Suri launched Qudrat, a startup based in Kerala, to tackle plastic waste. They focus on creating biodegradable tableware from agricultural waste and providing eco-friendly solutions to cut down on plastic pollution.
Using advanced technology, Qudrat converts agricultural waste into various products such as plates, tumblers, spoons, bowls, takeaway containers, lids, and even edible straws. The company’s zero-waste facility is notable, it doesn’t produce any solid or liquid waste.
Their products are biodegradable and good for the environment, breaking down in soil within 30 to 120 days. They have stopped 4,000 kilos of agricultural waste from being burned and saved 2,880 kilos of single-use plastics from going into landfills and the sea. They’ve turned over 800 tons of agricultural waste and replaced almost 21 lakh single-use plastic items into products.
