PeelON’s BioLiner slows spoilage, strengthens supply chains, and builds a viable alternative to plastic.
In India, wholesalers everywhere anxiously wait for trucks carrying fruits to markets coming from a few hundred kilometers away. With no refrigeration facilities available, a single delay in selling the fruits can reduce the value of overall stockpile by ten percent. A 2020-22 study by NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS), commissioned by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) for 54 agricultural commodities in India revealed that overall 6.02%-15.05% of fruits produced in India are wasted in post-harvest losses. For example, the post-harvest loss for tomatoes stands at 11.62%-8.37% at the farm stage and 3.25% during market handling.
In August 2024, Parliament was informed of the same estimates but several other sources put the figures at a much higher number. As per a study by State Bank of India 30-35% of fruits and vegetables perish due to their perishable nature, as well as inefficiencies in harvesting, storage, transport, and packaging. Though productions of fruits and vegetables in India is increasing, refrigeration is still inadequate across the supply chain. As per UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024. India wastes 78 million tonnes of food, second only to China.
PeelON BioLiner’s Advanced Preservation Technology
A country ravaged by environmental degradation and startling agricultural produce wastage, requires sustainable solutions with multipurpose applications that offer a lifeline to strengthen food security, protect farmer incomes, and build climate resilience. One such initiative comes from a US-based startup PeelON, which has developed BioLiner—an everyday produce bag made from compostable, plant-based film.
The PeelON BioLiner uses a breathable design with natural perforation holes, facilitating airflow without any gaseous exchange. The solution extends the shelf life of the product by maintaining the ideal balance of airflow and moisture control. The use of BioLiner reduces spoilage and over ripening of produce in transit, when used in combination with refrigeration. This plant based packaging is compostable, meaning it breaks down in natural elements under composting conditions, unlike biodegradable plastics, which may still leave microplastic residues.
At the helm of PeelOn sales strategy in India is Chiranjeevi S G Dhanarasi, who joined PeelON six months ago and is navigating efforts to integrate sustainable packaging solutions into the country’s agricultural export sector.
PeelON is essentially a BioLiner made from plant-based materials. While plastic has long contributed to environmental degradation and overflowing landfills, BioLiner offers a biodegradable alternative. By replacing conventional plastic, it provides a sustainable solution that minimizes waste and supports eco-friendly practices.
As per a report by Global Market Insights, the global compostable packaging films market was valued at US$ 10.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.7% through 2034. India’s compostable packaging market remains fairly modest, only generating just US$ 4.1 million in revenue in 2024. According to Grand View Research, compostable multilayer films market in India is valued at US$ 69.4 million in 2024, and is projected to grow to US$ 137.3 million by 2030, at a 12.2% CAGR.
BionLiner Outperforms Conventional Films
According to Chiranjeevi, PeelON BioLiner extends the shelf life of fruits up to three times longer than conventional plastic films where bananas remain fresh for 10-14 days at ambient temperatures. Shelf life of litchis is even more short-lived, losing quality within 2-3 days post-harvest unless they are preserved through cryo treated and other methods. Pomegranates fare a little better, with their shelf life ranging from 7 to 14 days in standard plastic liner packaging.
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The company conducted trials at Raj Agro cold storage in Shreepur, where bananas remained unspoiled for up to 65 days. However, under optimal conditions of 10-13 degrees Celsius, PeelON will bring the practical shelf life to 45-50 days. Unlike the conventional plastic liner which retains moisture and induces fungal growth, PeelON’s plant based BioLiner remains dry under cold storage conditions. The BioLiner has also demonstrated the ability to maintain fruit freshness even under high heat and humidity.
As per a report by Cooling India, India’s cold storage energy costs INR 80 to 90 per cubic foot annually, which is double in comparison to roughly INR 40 in Western countries. Out of all the operating expenses, the electricity alone makes up over 30% of total operating expenses versus just 10% in the Western countries. To maintain fruit freshness from farm to market, modern cold storage facilities and refrigerated transport require high investments.
BioLiner Earns Confidence Through Proven Results
A 2020 Jalgaon study by International Journal of Chemical Studies found that the overall post-harvest losses in banana comprised of 6.81% loss at field level, 3.90% loss during transport. The minimum 1.56% post harvest losses in banana were recorded during wholesale market. The losses recorded during storage and ripening was 3.40%. The highest loss of 14.12% was observed at retailer level. The major problems of the post harvest losses of banana fruits were due to faulty handling, lack of packaging techniques, transport facilities, and lack of cold storage facilities. NABCONS data from a 2020-22 report reveal that bananas suffer 7.6% losses and tomatoes 11.6% post harvest loss annually.
In urban cities, monsoon drains are filled with plastic waste, much of it is single use polythene bags discarded after carrying fruits and vegetables from markets. A 2024 study published in the journal Nature, India emits approximately 9.3 million tonnes of macroplastic pollution annually, making it the largest plastic polluter globally in terms of emissions, which is about 20% of global plastic emissions. The majority of plastic waste is openly mismanaged through open dumping, burning, and environmental leakage.
However, convincing industry stakeholders to switch from plastic liner, a commodity that they have relied on for decades, requires more than a compelling pitch. It requires hard evidence. Customers are more or less skeptical when they hear claims of “3x shelf life,” “no moisture,” or “zero plastic.” According to Chiranjeevi, the real turning point for BioLiner came after four to five successful trials with shipments to Oman, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, delivering consistently strong results, enabling PeelON not just to secure clients but also to build credibility and awareness. “The thing is, if you want to know something, you have to use it. Without using it, you can’t get the trust factor,” he noted.
He further explained that when a container is shipped with an assembly of standard plastic liners, moisture and fungus can often spoil two pallets of fruits. On the other hand when the same shipment is made using BioLiners, those pallets are preserved. The results directly translate into profit generation, making a self evident case for exporters to adopt use of PeelON BioLiner.
Transitioning exporters from plastic to a BIoLiner is not without its challenges. The process requires expertise, trust and visible results. PeelON’s approach is systematic, starting with banana hubs in Temburni and Jalgaon, and gradually expanding into vegetables, a phase Chiranjeevi noted will commence shortly.
This practical success translates into a win-win situation for every stakeholder across the value chain, farmers benefit from reduced spoilage and higher returns, exporters are able to make reliable shipments to lucrative markets in Europe and West Asia, and at the end consumers enjoy fresher, longer lasting produce, while the environmental gains from a viable alternative to plastic, considerably reduces wastage and contribute towards global sustainability goals.
PeelOn was founded in 2022 by Dr Venkata Ravi Sankar Ummidi and Dr Taraka Ramji Moturu, both scientists and innovators. The company expanded its operations to India in 2024 with a focus on Maharashtra’s banana belt, where traditional plastic liners dominate the export process, especially for shipments to West Asia. The company recently raised US$1 million in seed funding to expand research and scale production, indicating strong investor confidence in the BioLiner’s potential.