Introduction

The forest and agricultural materials, like leaves, leafy sheeth and pseudostem are being used traditionally to serve or store food materials. Leaves of banana, beutia, bauhimia, arecaunut sheeth, pseudostem of banana are extensively used for the above purposes. It is estimated that in Karnataka State alone, as many as 50 million leaf containers (usually called 'Donne') are being made from banana leaf. Also an equal number of leaf containers are made in Orissa, utilizing Beautia leaves.

Since the physico-chemical properties of these natural materials are better than those of paper and plastic, it is possible to utilize these natural materials for converting them to cups, plates and trays. It has been estimated that at present 99% of leaf cup/plate production is in rural sector, with an annual output of Rs.20 crores. Most of these units are found in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

To improve the dimensional stability, appearance, shape, finishing and hygienic quality, CFTRI has developed a simple pedal operated machine. The salient feature of this machine is that in one single pedal operation, folding, trimming, pressing into shape and drying are done; about 250-300 leaf cups or 100 acres sheeth cups per hour can be made by skilled operator and a helper. The leaf cup being subjected to heating to 150°C for about 10 seconds gets sterilized. A number of units can be installed in rural areas to generate employment and entrepreneurship among village craftsmen.

Estimated project cost:

Capacity of the unit : 2000-2500 cups/day
Building : 20 M²
Equipment : Rs.20,000
Working Capital (1 month) : Rs.5,000

Utilities per day:

Manpower : 3 Nos.
Power : 1.5 KW
Water : 1,000 Iitres

For further information please contact :

Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Director (Administration)
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Panchsheel Bhawan, August Kranti Marg
New Delhi -110049
website: mofpi.nic.in