Indian scientists developing sanitary napkins from jute

Kolkata: The National Jute Board (NJB) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology - Kharagpur is developing jute-based sanitary pads which could help prevent cervical cancer.

"We are carrying out trials and now we are trying to scale up production after initial production and encouraging feedback," NJB secretary Arvind Kumar M. told IANS on Tuesday.

IIT - Kharagpur scientist B Adhikary is leading the technological innovation in the project funded by the NJB.

Since menstrual hygiene plays a role in development of cervical cancer, researchers believe it will be beneficial to women's personal hygiene. Also, the new line of products could revive the dying jute industry.

The product is fabricated from cellulose extracted from jute and its qualities are enhanced with addition of a super-absorbent polymer.

Normally, the sanitary napkins are made of imported cotton or wood cellulose.