KVIC launches cow dung-based non-toxic `Khadi Prakritik’ paint
21 Jan 2021
1
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) on Tuesday launched an innovative new non-toxic paint, called `Khadi Prakritik Paint’ – India’s first cow dung paint.
Union minister for road transport and highways and MSME Nitin Gadkari launched the eco-friendly, non-toxic paint, a first-of-its-kind product, with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties, at his residence.
Based on cow dung as its main ingredient, the paint is cost-effective and odorless, and has been certified by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Speaking at the launch function, the minister said the step is aligned with the prime minister’s vision of increasing farmers’ income. It is also part of an effort to improve the rural economy to such an extent that reverse migration begins from the cities to rural areas, he added.
The paint is priced at Rs20 per litre for the distemper, and Rs225 per litre for the emulsion, which is less than half the price charged by big paint companies.
Gadkari said the paint will be marketed in a professional manner, and taken to all corners of the country.
Khadi Prakritik Paint is available in two forms – distemper paint and plastic emulsion paint. The project was conceptualised by KVIC chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena in March 2020, and later developed by Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute, Jaipur (a KVIC unit).
The paint is free from heavy metals like lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, cadmium and others. It will be a boost to local manufacturing and will create sustainable local employment through technology transfer. This technology will increase consumption of cow dung as a raw material for eco-friendly products and will generate additional revenue to farmers and gaushalas. Utilisation of cow dung will also clean the environment and prevent clogging of drains.
Khadi Prakritik Distemper and Emulsion Paints have been tested at 3 reputed National Laboratories: National Test House, Mumbai; Shri Ram Institute for Industrial Research, New Delhi and National Test House, Ghaziabad.
Khadi Prakritik Emulsion paint meets BIS 15489:2013 standards, whereas Khadi Prakritik Distemper paint meets BIS 428:2013 standards.
The paint has successfully passed various test parameters such as application of paint, thinning properties, drying time and finish, among others. It dries in less than 4 hours, and has a smooth and uniform finish. The paint can be applied on interior as well as exterior walls. Both distemper and emulsion paints are available in white base colour, and it can be developed in any color by suitably mixing colorants.
