Chemical & Bio-chemical Processing Division

Chemical & Bio-Chemical Division (CBP) working on chemical/ biochemical processing, quality control and product development from jute and allied fibres. It has major contributions on pulp and paper; bleaching, dyeing and finishing; particle and fibre board; composites from jute and allied fibres. Nano technology and biomass utilization are also important areas.

Divisional Mandate

  • To improve the quality of naturla fibres based products by advanced chemical processing techniques like bleaching, dyeing, printing & finishing.
  • To identify & develop diversified products like handmade paper, composites, partile boards, activated carbon and high-end products from natural fibre residues.
  • To impart skill development programs on processing of natural fibres and by-products utilisation.

Facilities available-

1. Pilot plant for handmade paper and particle board

  • Twin digester (capacity: 5 Kg/day)
  •  Hollander beater (capacity : 5 kg pulp/ day)
  • Motorised sheet former (capacity: approx 25 paper sheet / day)
  • Tissue paper vat (capacity: approx 25 paper sheet / day)
  •  Hydraulic hot press for particle board making (size: 4ft*2ft)
  • Different types of handmade paper (of different GSM), decorative paper, Kraft paper, tissue paper, particle board of different shapes and design are prepared in pilot plant. 

2. Biocomposite laboratory

  • Facilities for preparation of composite
  • Compression molding (size: 60cm x 60cm)

3. .Hank dyeing facility (capacity- 5 kg yarn/ day)

4.  Electrospin system (for preparation of nanofibre/nano-coating/Encapsulation)

5.  Paper moulded products for cutlery items

6. Testing facilities for pulp & paper, Particle board, Composite, Fabric sample

  •  Xenotest : to measure light fastness or weather fastness of the fabric & yarn sample.
  • Instron : to measure tensile and flexural properties of the particle board and composite sample.
  • Impact strength tester: to measure impact strength of particle board and composite sample.
  • Tensile strength tester, Bursting strength tester, Folding strength tester & tear strength tester; are used to measure different physical properties of paper sample.

7.  Muffle furnace with nitrogen gas for activated carbon

8.  Microcrystalline cellulose production

Products developed-

  1. Natural pigment dyed textile products
  2. Handmade decorative paper and products
  3. Tissue paper
  4. Natural pulp based sanitary napkin
  5. Particle boards
  6. Biocomposite and moulded products
  7. Paper board based molded products
  8. Banana sap for textile colouration & finishing 
  9. Bulk jute yarns for value-added applications
  10. Aroma finished home textile products
  11. Activated carbon from jute stick
  12. Microcrystalline cellulose for pharmaceutical uses 

On-going projects-

In-house projects-

  •  Development of fire retardant and termite proof particle board from whole jute plant
  •  Sustainable innovative bleaching of lignocellulosic fibres and its effect on dyeing behaviour
  •  Jute based active packaging systems for use in agro-commodities
  •   Development of value-added products from banana plant waste
  •   Development of high value apparel/ home textiles by jute, ramie and protein fibres blending

Sponsored projects-

  •  Application of natural fibres and its biomass in building materials (CRP on natural fibres, ICAR)

HoD (Acting) C& BP Division: Dr. S.N. Chattopadhyay, Principal Scientist

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