Gujarat Start-up Develops Bioethanol Technology Using Waste Human Hair

Indian start-up Techofest Global has developed patented technology to produce bioethanol from waste human hair, offering a potential alternative to conventional biofuel production methods that depend on sugar, grains and agricultural residues. The innovation aims to reduce competition between fuel production and food and livestock fodder supplies.

The Gujarat-based company, in collaboration with Chennai-based Biomakerz, has tested three technologies at a research and development pilot facility with a capacity of approximately 100 litres. These include bioethanol production using human hair, ethanol production from used cooking oil (UCO), and enhanced biomethane production from discarded sanitary napkins.

According to the company, its proprietary 5G SAFE process uses single-stage saccharification followed by fermentation and achieves 85–90 per cent biocatalyst recovery. The technology is designed to address challenges faced by second-generation (2G) ethanol production, including high capital and operating costs, expensive pretreatment procedures and poor enzyme-recycling efficiency.

The company has also developed a proprietary SIM process for biomethane production, which it claims operates twice as fast through improved intermittent feeding cycles and continuous gas harvesting.

Dr. Ravi, founder and CEO of Techofest Global, is leading the scale-up and commercialisation of the technologies. Biochemical engineers Dr. Navnit, former chief technology officer, and Dr. Kabilan, former CEO of Biomakerz, have contributed to the development of the processes through their experience in biorefinery research.

Navnit said the team began developing economically viable processes for producing ethanol from municipal waste streams during 2019–2021, anticipating concerns over competition between fuel, food and fodder.

Co-founder and corporate adviser Bhumika said pre-commercialisation trials were under way and the company was preparing to commercialise its ethanol and biomethane technologies. Ronak is overseeing global market entry and commercialisation.

The start-up's technology advisers include former scientists and experts associated with DRDE, ISRO and other institutions. The company said its research supports India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Further trials will be crucial to establishing the technologies' commercial viability and industrial-scale potential.