GREEN START-UPS

A BUNCH OF START-UPS IS OFFERING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR BUILDING A GREENER TOMORROW. THEIR APPROACH IS FINDING NEW TAKERS

THE POLLUTION FIXERS: Not too many people are familiar with soaping agents or surfactants and what they do. These act like detergents and remove unabsorbed dyes from textile products while ensuring colour fastness. But when they get mixed with effluents, they can pose a huge environmental threat. However, Chennai-based Proklean Technologies has developed a unique probiotics solution that replaces these chemical-based surfactants with “high-performing, all-natural, nontoxic and fully bio-degradable products”, helping protect water bodies when industrial effluents are released. Currently, Proklean caters to textile, leather and hospitality industries, but is planning to expand operations and add a few more products, including a household detergent.

“For the first time, a unique combination of naturally occurring probiotic microbes (good bacteria, in layman’s terms) and certain other natural ingredients is being used to develop these products,” explains co-founder and Chief Executive S. Sivaram Pillai, a PHD in biochemistry. “We use a proprietary

fermentation and formulation process. Besides pollution control, there are other advantages also, such as 20 per cent water saving.”

Pillai got acquainted with B. Chandrasekhar in 2006, and the latter roped in Vishwadeep Kuila, an IIM-Ahmedabad alum and former classmate with expertise in sales and marketing. Proklean became operational in 2012 when the trio got an initial funding from Chennai Angels and later raised venture capital from Infuse Capital. The first customer was a Ludhiana-based textile processer and garments exporter called Shingora Textiles. It now serves more than 120 companies, including big players such as Raymond and Mafatlal.

Proklean sources an organically certified probiotic mother culture from US-based SCD Probiotics (Pillai’s former company) for product development. “It is a two-way licensing, meaning we receive royalty when SCD sells products which have been made using our technology and vice versa,” says Pillai.

It posted `6 crore in annual revenue in the financial year 2016/17, but its immediate goal is to double that amount. The company is about to raise its third round of funding. The money will be used for expansion in overseas markets, research and product development.