UKHI has raised ₹10.5 crore in seed funding led by Venture Catalysts to scale production of its biodegradable biopolymer line, EcoGran, targeting replacement of single-use plastics.
India’s sustainable materials sector is moving from research labs to industrial deployment.
New Delhi–based UKHI has raised ₹10.5 crore in a seed funding round led by Venture Catalysts, with participation from 100 Unicorns, 888 VC, and DCG Pack, its strategic industrial partner.
The capital will be used to scale production of EcoGran, UKHI’s flagship biodegradable material line, deepen formulation and process intellectual property, and expand partnerships across India’s packaging value chain.
Tackling a systemic plastic challenge
Single-use plastic remains one of the most persistent environmental issues globally. Packaging accounts for a large share of plastic consumption, particularly in fast-moving consumer goods.
UKHI is positioning itself as an IP-led materials company developing high-performance biodegradable and compostable alternatives compatible with existing packaging infrastructure.
Founder and CEO Vishal Vivek described single-use plastic as a “systems problem,” emphasizing the need for materials that match industrial performance standards while remaining cost-competitive.
Unlike many early-stage biomaterials ventures that focus primarily on niche segments, UKHI is targeting large-scale flexible and rigid packaging formats.
Rapid concept-to-commercial execution
Within six months, the company says it has moved from concept to commercial viability. UKHI reports having sold more than 200,000 kilograms of biopolymer material and secured anchor clients within India’s packaging ecosystem.
According to the company, it has achieved over 90% trial-to-commercial conversion across customer pilots — a signal of early product-market fit.
UKHI plans to replace up to 2.4 million kilograms of single-use plastic over the next 12 months as production scales.
The company’s technology roadmap has also received formal validation from the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, reinforcing alignment with national sustainability and manufacturing priorities.
Industrial partnership strategy
A key component of UKHI’s scale-up plan is its strategic partnership with DCG Pack, which provides manufacturing collaboration, material qualification, and enterprise access.
By integrating directly with converters and packaging manufacturers, UKHI aims to reduce friction in adoption — a common barrier for sustainable materials startups.
Over time, the collaboration is positioned to support enterprise-led revenue expansion, with long-term ambitions to scale sustainable packaging revenues toward ₹500 crore.
High-difficulty packaging formats
In parallel, UKHI is working with the Government of India on biodegradable alternatives for gutkha and pan masala packaging — formats known for complex multilayer plastic construction and widespread littering.
Developing materials that degrade under ambient environmental conditions, including freshwater and marine settings, remains technically challenging.
If successful, such applications would address one of India’s most difficult waste streams.
Building IP-led climate infrastructure
UKHI’s broader ambition is to build a globally relevant biopolymer platform from India.
The company leverages agricultural residues and lignocellulosic biomass as feedstock, aligning with circular economy principles and rural supply chain integration.
Biomaterials startups often struggle with scalability and cost parity against petroleum-based plastics. UKHI’s strategy emphasizes compatibility with existing manufacturing lines to lower switching costs for converters and brands.
The sustainability inflection point
Regulatory pressure on plastic waste is increasing globally, while consumer brands are seeking credible sustainability transitions.
However, performance trade-offs and price premiums have historically limited adoption of biodegradable materials.
The challenge for UKHI will be maintaining industrial-grade durability while delivering environmental degradation performance and economic feasibility.
If it can scale production and demonstrate reliability at enterprise volumes, the company could contribute to a structural shift in packaging materials.
The seed round marks an early milestone in what remains a capital-intensive journey. In sustainable materials, commercial validation — not just laboratory success — ultimately determines category leadership.
For India’s deep-tech ecosystem, UKHI represents a broader ambition: building IP-led climate infrastructure that competes at global industrial scale rather than serving as a niche alternative.
