Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw recently shared a video on social media featuring a unique invention by an English professor who turned dry coconut leaves into eco-friendly straws. She captioned the post: "Local ideas with global opportunities!"
Who is Prof Saji Varghese?
The man behind the innovation is Saji Varghese, a professor at Christ University, Bengaluru, who holds a PhD in English. His work in sustainability has earned him praise both in India and abroad.
It all began on October 3, 2017, when Prof Varghese, during a routine walk home after class, spotted a dry coconut leaf on the ground. He noticed that part of the leaf had naturally curled into the shape of a straw.
Out of curiosity, the English professor took it to a lab and steamed it under high pressure. Surprisingly, the heat brought out a shiny surface on the leaf, sparking the idea of making it a plastic alternative.
Soon after, Prof Varghese started experimenting with food-grade glue and different techniques. After months of trials, he produced a multi-layered straw in early 2018 that was strong, antifungal, and could stay firm in water for more than six hours. Interestingly, the final straws had a shelf life of over 12 months.
Launching a startup
The professor took the innovation a step further by establishing production units in rural areas, including Madurai, Tuticorin, and Kasargod. These micro-units not only produced the straws but also provided job opportunities for rural women. Prof Varghese launched the straws under the brand name SunBird, and local food businesses began placing orders soon after.
The innovation quickly gained traction. Within a year, SunBird straws were being exported to 25 countries, including the United States, Australia, and several European nations.
Awards and recognitions
Prof Varghese has even received awards for his innovative work with coconut leaves. He has won the Swadeshi Startup Award 2018 from IIT Delhi, the Swiss Re Shine Entrepreneur Award, and the Climate Launchpad Award 2018 for social impact from Scotland.
Also read: Tata Electronics sends hundreds of employees to Taiwan for chipmaking training (startuppedia.in)
/startuppedia/media/media_files/2025/06/12/2Jvz4koK1BIxmjidZ9Ae.jpeg)