City fashionistas might soon be seen wearing clothes with recycled ink from pollutants, courtesy of a Delhi-based startup's technology.
Computer giant Dell and leaders in the fashion industry came together during an event on Sunday to popularise the technology that converts the harmful particles of diesel exhaust into ink.
Chakr Innovation’s retrofitting emission control device captures about 90% of the PM 2.5 and PM 10 particles in diesel exhaust. "A litre of ink is made by capturing particles that would have polluted 700 million litres of air, the amount of air inhaled by a person for 24 years," said Akhilesh Agarwal, of Chakr.
Dell India's vice-president Rajeev Kapoor said that the ink was a symbol of recycling and his company had been an active supporter of products that promise to avoid further air pollution. "The population is expected to reach 2 billion by 2030. Incorporating sustainable practices in business environments is essential," he said, explaining that the company has been using the ink for packaging, printing and similar purposes.
Artist Nala Ponnappa demonstrated how the ink could be used for painting. Models exhibited works of fashion designer Tahera Peeran, who used the ink to spice up khadi and handloom clothes by infusing them with the idea of recycling.
The event was brought together by fashion guru Prasad Bidappa.
The representatives from Dell and Chakra stressed the importance of the ink in checking the air pollution. Noting that about 11 lakh people were killed in India because of air pollution in 2016, they said the number will swell if coordinated efforts are not made by all the stakeholders.