Thinai Tech - Advanced Materials Division

Sustainable Materials Engineering

Material use appropriation is the core of sustainable engineering. We need to use the ideal material for each use cases. Misuse or over use is the primary reason for unsustainable outcome.

We specialize in application engineering of the most sustainable material for various use cases. We collaborate with global partners to create a comprehensive network to enable economics of scale of material supply and product delivery.

Bio Fibers

SUSTAINABLE PLANT FIBERS

Areca leaf - up-cycled material

Areca (Mama'an in Meranau people.) is a species of palm tree found in humid tropical forests from China and India, across South East Asia . The generic name Areca is derived from a name used locally on the Southern coast of India. In India, these Areca Palm trees are cultivated for "Betel Nuts" which are generally chewed. The leaves from the tree are used in making pans.

Each Areca Tree sheds 10 to 15 leaves every year. These leaf sheaths which naturally fall from the trees are collected from the Areca Farms and transported by truck to our factory. The leafs are cleaned with fresh water to remove dirt, dried and then molded into various shapes and sizes. Plates are finished, sterilized and packed.These are completely bio degradable. No chemicals are used in manufacturing.

Benefits

  • No chemicals / toxic elements
  • No trees are cut - Sustainable
  • Plastic Free
  • 100% Compostable
  • Water proof - Enjoy even soup!
  • Oil Free
These plates are sourced from farmers and our manufacturing partners offer training, support and employment opportunities to rural community - helping better their standard of living.

Bio Fibers

SUGARCANE BAGASSE

Bagasse is the fibrous matter that remains after sugarcane or sorghum stalks are crushed to extract their juice. It is dry, pulpy residue left after the extraction of juice from sugar cane. Bagasse is used as a bio-fuel and in the manufacture of ​pulp and building materials.
Products made from sugarcane bagasse are bio-degradable and are a good alternative for plastic.
Upcycled Material

This material is upcycled after sugar production. Upcycling enables extended material usage and positive EcoImpact.

Quality Fiber

The fiber is of good quality with ideal cellulose content. This enables us to use this material for a diverse range of applications - tableware to consumer tissue to sustainable packaging.

100% Compostable

The material is fully compostable and contributes to circular economic systems.

Renewable Resource

Bagasse is an abundant and renewable resource grown in multiple geographic locations for various purposes such as sugar production, organic ethanol, etc.

Bio Fibers

Bamboo Fiber

Bamboo is a fast growing plant - consumes low water and is highly resilient. Fibers from Bamboo are long and are ideal for various applications from paper to fabric. We adopt this fiber in combination with other bio fibers to develop various practical products and solutions.

Sustainable Paper

Long fiber of bamboo is ideal for paper production. This form of paper contributes to positive Eco Impact by multiple means - economic opportunities for under prevailed communities (UNSDG-1), No Deforestation (FSC Certified), Low Water consumption, Low carbon footprint.

Bamboo Fabric
Bamboo Fabric

Fabric made from bamboo are ecofriendly replacement for cotton and polyester. This is due to the fact that Bamboo fiber has a positive Eco Impact and resource consumption compared to alternatives. We are successfully able to blend bamboo yarns with other similar materials such as banana tree fiber to create interesting blends.

Sustainable Bamboo Products
Eco Products
With the versatile advantage of bamboo - we are able to create various sustainable products ranging from reusable products, cookware to home decor.
Sustainable Material

Bamboo is a fast growing tree and contributes to sustainability in various aspects.

Anti-Bacterial Properties

Bamboo fiber has natural anti-bacterial properties which make it an ideal choice for personal hygiene and eco care products.

100% Compostable

The material is fully compostable and contributes to circular economic systems.

Fast Renewability

Bamboo is renewable with a very short time span unlike traditional timber which takes decades to replenish.

Bio Fibers

Banana Tree Fiber

Banana plant (Scientific name: Musa acuminate) not only gives delicious fruit but it also provides textile fiber, the banana fiber which is also known as banana silk. Banana fiber is a natural bast fiber which has wide range of uses in handicraft product developments such as mat, rope and twines. A small portion of the pseudo stem is used for making products. The rest becomes compost.

Features & Benefits

  • 100% bio-degradable
  • By-product - from banana cultivation - sustainable
  • High tensile strength
  • Weather proofing
  • UV Protection (because of presence of lignin content)
  • Moisture absorption
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Natural Absorbent
  • Bio-remediation
  • Pathogenisis - Contains proteins with anti-microbial properties
  • Wide applications in textile and packing industry
  • Applications in Eco Fabrics
  • Applications in Eco Care and Hygiene Products
Banana Fiber Yarn
Banana Yarn

Banana fiber has good tensile strength and can be made into Yarns. These yarns can be colored using water based natural dyes. This fiber yarn is ideal for textiles and can be blended with other natural fibers.

Banana Fiber Fabric
Banana Fiber Fabric

Eco Fashion is growing in demand. Banana tree fabric is an ideal choice for many fabric products. This gives the fabric a smooth texture while maintaining a positive Eco Impact.

Eco Care and Hygiene Products

Banana fiber has high water absorption and retention properties. This enables us to produce ecofriendly hygiene products. Many existing products in this category uses plastics and toxic chemicals. However, this alternative is fully biodegradable and is toxic free.

Bio Fibers

Grass Fibers

Grass is a very fast growing and robust crop. This class of plants can grow in a variety of conditions and are highly resilient. Different types of grass fibers produce diverse fibers which can be applied to specialized applications.

HIGHLY DURABLE - REUSABLE - ECOFRIENDLY - SMOOTH - AESTHETIC

Korai grass products which are affordable, highly durable (durable for many years), can be washed in water multiple times, are very comfortable and can be easily folded for picnics and travel.
The process of creating the mat or other similar products is complex and painstaking. In its original form, the grass is green in color and normally grows to a height of 3-4 feet. The grass for the mats is cut very fine, while it is still green. The inside white pith of the stem is removed with a sharp-edged knife, while the outer part of the stem is used for weaving. The counts of the mat depend on how many strips the grass is cut into; the greater the numbers of strips from each stem, the higher the count. The strips of grass are then dried in the hot sun. When the dried grass strips turn a yellowish greenish color, they are boiled in a pot of water and dried again. The dried grass is made up into bundles and soaked in running water for 3-7 days. This wetting causes the grass to swell up to three times its original size. It is then dried again in the sun. The weaving is done on a floor loom. The process is slow and follows a basket weave pattern. Once the weaving is complete, the mat is dried in the sun for a short while. The mats woven are very fine with counts ranging from 100 to 140. It is then finished with a polishing stone.
Harvesting Kora Grass
Harvesting Kora Grass


Cleaned, Dried and organized - Kora grass
Cleaned, Dried and organized - Kora grass


Building since 1943


Weaved into Kora Grass products
Building since 1943


Bio Fibers

Jute Fiber

100% BIO DEGRADABLE - GOLDEN SHINE - HIGH TENSILE STRENGTH

WIDE APPLICATIONS - ROPES, BAGS, MATS, HOME DECOR & ACOUSTICS

Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. The two main sources are from Corchorus olitorius and Corchorus capsularis.
The jute fiber comes from the stem and ribbon (outer skin) of the jute plant. The fibers are first extracted by retting. The retting process consists of bundling jute stems together and immersing them in slow running water. There are two types of retting: stem and ribbon. After the retting process, stripping begins. In the stripping process, non-fibrous matter is scraped off, then the workers dig in and grab the fibers from within the jute stem.
  • 100% Bio-Degradable
  • Consumes less water
  • Low or No Pesticide / Fertilizer need
  • Cheapest vegetable fiber
  • It has high tensile strength, low extensibility, and ensures better breathability of fabrics
  • Good insulating and anti-static properties
  • Low thermal conductivity and moderate moisture regain
  • Acoustic insulation
  • Manufactured with no skin irritations
  • Blend with other fabrics
  • Accepts Cellulose Dye, Pigment dye, etc.
  • Treated jute can be flame resistant.
Jute Fiber Pendant
Home Decor Products


Bags AND Fashion


Mats AND Throws


Anti-Erosion Mesh


Advanced MATERIALS

Sustainable Advanced Materials

Advanced Sustainable Materials

Bio Polymers

Bio-based polymers are defined as materials for which at least a portion of the polymer consists of material produced from renewable raw materials. These materials are bio based, biodegradable / compostable and are ecofriendly.

Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Poly Lactic Acid (PLA)

PLA stands for Polylactic Acid. Made from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugar cane, it's a natural polymer designed to substitute widely used petroleum-based plastics like PET (polyethene terephthalate). They are designed to work with standard extrusion and molding machines.

Polybutylene Succinate (PBS)
Polybutylene succinate (PBS)

BioPBS is a biodegradable and compostable bioplastic material which can be used as a barrier on paper products such as cups and bowls

Tableware

Bio Polymers are used in tableware that are 100% compostable. They have low environmental impact and contribute to the circular economy.

Moisture Barrier

Bio Polymers are used as lining material instead of PE or PP. It can provide good moisture barrier when lined properly with a substrate material such as paper board.

Medical applications

Many biopolymers can be used for regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and overall medical applications due to their mechanical properties. They provide characteristics like wound healing, and catalysis of bio-activity, and non-toxicity.

3D Printing

Many Bio Polymers are 3D print compatible. This enables us to create intricate designs and shapes with minimal material waste. This also enables bionic design and advanced modelling and prototyping.

Advanced Sustainable Materials

BioMi+

100% compostable | Microwave Compatible | Heat Resistant | Dishwasher Friendly | Renewable Bio Based

BioMi+ is a compound biopolymer material. The compound is specifically designed to be 100% compostable and microwave friendly. This material has different variants that are suitable for specialized applications.

BIoMi+ Variant 1.1

This variant of the compound is rigid and is used to produce hard packaging. This variant has been tested food safe with different types of food in microwave for extended periods of time > 45 minutes.

BioMi+ Variant 1.2

This variant is designed to provide higher flexibility to the material while maintaining the microwaveable and food preservation barrier properties. This variant is less rigid than 1.1 and is also less heat resistant. It has been tested to be food safe and can store properly sealed food for many months.

Advanced Sustainable Materials

Bio Flex

This is a flexible material that can be used for a variety of packaging solutions both in food and industrial sector. Variants of this material has barrier properties such as moisture prevention, oxygen proof, etc.

Compostable Flexible Material

Bio Flex can be configured to suit a variety of applications. The material is derived from bio based renewable raw materials. No toxic chemicals / agents are used throughout the manufacturing process. Many variants of the material are food contact safe - making it a good barrier material option for flexible food packaging.
The Bio-Flex material is also seal compatible with BioMi+ and other biopolymer materials.
The material can be printed on using standard printing technologies - up to 4 to 6 colors.
Bio Flex
Cling Wrap
Bio Flex material variant can be designed to be a compostable (Plastic free) cling wrap that is food contact safe. It is suitable to replace PE based plastic cling wraps.
Flexible Food Pouches

Special Variants of Bio Flex can be used to produce 100% compostable food pouches of various designs. These can be specially designed to have various barrier properties and can withstand freezing temperatures.

Compostable Mulch Film

Mulch Films are used in farming to reduce weed and insects. These can enhance crop growth and conserve water consumption. However, traditional plastic mulch films do not biodegrade and have to be removed or it will degrade soil quality. However, BioFlex can be configured to composed specially according to specific soil conditions.

Sealing Film

Bio Flex films can be used to seal other bio compatible materials such as BioMi+ and other bio polymers.

Advanced Sustainable Materials

Micro-Fibrillated Cellulose

Through a fibrillation process the cellulose fibers are separated into a three dimensional network of microfibrils with a large surface area. These entangled fibrils are called microfibrillated cellulose (MFC).

CELLULOSE Fibrils

Micro fibrillated cellulose is produced by mechanical treatment with or without enzymatic or chemical pre-treatment. The material consists of long and thin fibers which form a three- dimensional network, and these fibers have crystalline and amorphous regions. MFC has high viscosity and yield stress, it is shear thinning and has high water holding capacity. The size distribution of the fibers is wide, and even if some fibers have diameters in nano-scale, there are a lot of bigger fibers as well. Moreover, the fibers are in a network structure and interconnected to each other.
MFB Blended Packaging Board
Packaging

Micro fibrillated Cellulose provides unique opportunities in sustainable packaging. It reduces the material weight required by increasing its strength while contributing to interesting barrier properties such as Oxygen barrier, etc.

Coatings

MFB Coatings in substrates provides numerous advantages such as reduced coat weight, reduced permeability (improved barrier), elimination of precoat, improved gloss, etc.

Food Additive

Cellulose is an insoluble dietary fiber and can be used as a vegan, gluten- and fat free additive. Micro-crystalline cellulose is already widely used in the food industry, micro fibrillated cellulose offers new possibilities. Due to its pH stability (2 – 12) and high salt tolerance, it can be used as a thickener for a wide range of foods and beverages. The natural additive is also able to stabilize suspensions and emulsions.

Filtration

MFC fibrils can be configured to capture specific molecules and ions - enabling it to be selectively filtering and absorbent.

This is an advanced capability and we are testing different practical applications.

Advanced Sustainable Materials

Nano Cellulose

Nanocellulose is a light solid substance obtained from plant matter which comprises nanosized cellulose fibrils. This new material is a pseudo-plastic and possesses the property of specific kinds of fluids or gels that are generally thick in normal conditions.

Advanced Absorbents

Nano Cellulose is being tested for development for super absorbent materials in our Eco Care and Hygiene products such as pads, incontinence products, etc. This material also provides anti-microbial properties and specialized applications are being developed.

Medical Fabrics

Nano Cellulose compositions are being tested to develop anti-microbial medical fabric with different absorption and barrier materials. We are developing PFAS free alternatives in fabrics using this technology.

Bio Based Electronics & Energy Storage

Nano Cellulose is mixed with other fibers to enable interactive fibers, films, aerogels, hydrogels and papers. This provides a smart system integration capability in smart packaging, fashion, wearable tech, etc.

Smart Fabrics

Crystalline Nano Cellulose laced with smart electronics can be adaptive meta material. Early tests show promise in light weight durable smart fabrics.

Advanced Sustainable Materials

Special Bio Foams

Bio Foams are specially designed to have specific properties such as selective absorption, temperature resistance, etc. These foams are made from ecofriendly, renewable materials.

Bio Foam

Bio Foams are specially designed to absorb specific molecules such as oil while repelling other molecules such as water. These foams can be used for clearing oil spills from water bodies. Variants of this materials can be tailored for specific applications

Thermo Foam - high Temperature Resistance

These foams are designed to maintain specific temperatures. We are currently testing special configuration of such foams to withstand very high temperatures for extended periods of time.

Advanced Sustainable Materials

Composite Bio Materials

These materials are composites of multiple bio materials - tailored for specific applications

Mycelium based materials

Mycelium is mainly composed of natural polymers as chitin, cellulose, proteins, etc, so it is a natural polymeric composite fibrous material. This can be designed to take specific pre-molded shapes and are renewable. They can take very high abrasion, compression and impact loads. They can be made modular and replaced as blocks.

Bio Scaffold

Specialized design of modular scaffold can be made for advanced applications. These materials are bio based and non toxic. These can also be configured to be self-repairing.

Advanced Sustainable Materials

Eco Fabric Materials

Fabrics are primary contributors of global micro-plastic. More than 60% composition all of commercial fabric available contains plastic material mixed in the form of Polyester, etc. Eco Fabrics are alternatives for traditional fabrics. We also develop advanced fabrics for specialized applications.

Eco Care Fabrics

We have applied plastic free, toxic free fabrics made from bamboo fiber and banana tree fiber to our Eco Care products - such as baby diapers and Feminine Care products. These are biodegradable and do not contain any harsh chemicals.

Eco Leather

We follow Misai Initiative Frameworks throughout our operations. This means that we avoid any form of animal cruelty in our products and solutions. In collaboration with our partners, we are applying mushroom based leather-like material to create practical products.

3D Printed Fabrics

We collaborate with our partners to develop specialized applications using 3D printed fabric technologies. This opens up unique applications using Eco Fabrics and Smart Integrations.