This article is also available in Italian / Questo articolo è disponibile anche in italiano
Saathi Pads is the first company to manufacture 100% biodegradable sanitary products made from banana fibre. Guided by a cradle-to-cradle approach to women's health, the three founders—Kristin Kagetsu, Tarun Bothra, and Grace Kane, with degrees from MIT and Nirma University—have created a women-led manufacturing plant in the heart of Ahmedabad, India.
Unlike traditional sanitary pads, which are made from plastic materials and involve the use of chemicals and bleaching agents, Saathi uses bamboo and banana fibres. These agricultural by-products are abundant in India and known for their high absorption capacity. Banana fibre requires six times less water per tonne produced than cotton and ten times less fertiliser. The company acquires banana stems from local farmer collectives in Gujarat, who thus receive a supplementary income from a by-product that would otherwise be discarded after harvest.
Banana stems are cut and separated into layers, which are then washed, dried, and processed into fibres similar to cotton. The fibres are compacted into pads, which are tested, sterilised, and packaged using biodegradable materials. The key feature of Saathi pads is their rapid decomposition: they degrade within six months after disposal.
In the manufacturing process, the company employs women from deprived communities, promoting their economic emancipation and improving the standard of living in rural areas. Also, in this spirit, through partnerships with various NGOs, the company distributes sanitary products at subsidised costs in rural areas, improving access to menstrual hygiene and raising communities' awareness of the importance of women's health.
Name:
Saathi Pads
Web site:
Sector:
Women's sanitary products
Pros:
Supporting women's employment and inclusion in rural areas
Features:
Biodegradable sanitary products made from agricultural waste
Cover: Envato image