Biotechnology students from Chandigarh Group of Colleges (CGC) Landran’s Chandigarh College of Technology (CCT), have developed four innovative projects that transform agricultural waste into sustainable, value-added products. These include novel ideas to address one of India’s major environmental challenges ‘stubble burning’, while promoting eco-friendly practices and green entrepreneurship.
These projects were also displayed at CGC Landran’s recently concluded annual college fest Parivartan, as well. At the forefront is Myco Mazing, developed by Deepanshi Sharma, which uses fungal mycelium and Wheat stubble to produce biodegradable composites that can replace plastics and thermocol.
The project has earned national recognition through the NITI Aayog Community Innovator Fellowship worth ₹2 lakh and was featured on the NITI Aayog Wall of Innovation. By leveraging the natural binding properties of mycelium, the project demonstrates how agricultural waste can be transformed into strong, lightweight and biodegradable materials suitable for packaging, insulation and sustainable design.
Deepanshi was also felicitated by Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chairman, CGC Landran, for her innovative project to tackle stubble burning, at Parivartan 2025, CGC’s annual techno cultural fest. The project Parali to Power, led by Biotechnology students Radhika Ranjan, Riya Sharma, Sargam, under the guidance of their faculty mentor, Dr. Abhinoy Kishore, focuses on converting Wheat straw (Parali) into piezoelectric materials using Cellulose Nano Crystals (CNCs). By harnessing the inherent non-centrosymmetric structure of cellulose, the team has developed an eco-friendly method for energy harvesting, wearable sensors and biomedical applications.
The team behind Husk Biotech, a startup led by MSc. Biotechnology students Ankesh Bashist, Mahima, Kalash Jain, and Rahul Ranjan, has transformed Rice husk, a common agricultural by-product, into eco-conscious products such as notebook covers, pen stands and plywood. The project showcases how waste can be converted into durable, biodegradable consumer goods that reduce plastic dependence and promote environmental balance.
In Eco Wall Panels, MSc. Biotechnology students Navjot, Monika, Juhi, Tamanna and Sonakshi are developing non-toxic wall panels from cow dung and Parali, as a sustainable alternative to PVC panels. These eco-panels would be lightweight, thermally insulating and free from volatile organic compounds. The project will generate economic value while promoting waste reduction and eco-friendly construction practices.
Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chairman, CGC Landran and Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, President, CGC Landran appreciated the students’ efforts and dedication in developing these projects. “Our students exemplify the spirit of innovation with purpose. Through these projects, they are not just addressing most pressing environmental challenges but redefining biotechnology as a force for social good, sustainability and economic empowerment,” they added.
“Stubble burning and disposal remains a critical issue. At CCT, CGC Landran, we are encouraging students to develop innovative projects that can offer sustainable solutions to this challenge and we will continue to support such efforts, said Dr. Palki Sahib Kaur, Director Principal, CCT, CGC Landran. These student-led innovations highlight CGC’s commitment to sustainability, applied biotechnology and entrepreneurship.
By transforming agricultural by-products into valuable resources, the projects not only address pressing environmental concerns but also equip students to become innovators who drive social and economic change.