Srikanth Bolla's aim is to empower the disabled and do good for the environment while he's at it

Recently, Hyderabad-based Srikanth Bolla was awarded the prestigious National Entrepreneurship Award 2019 under the renewables category
Srikanth Bolla | (Pic: Bollant Industries)
Srikanth Bolla | (Pic: Bollant Industries)

Started in the year 2012, from day one, Srikanth Bolla knew that the mission of Bollant Industries would be the empowerment of those who are underprivileged and marginalised and sustainability. If you're wondering why the name sounds familiar, Srikanth is the same youngster who was born visually-impaired and had to fight to study till class X. Eventually, he went on to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Bollant Industries operates five manufacturing units 

Over the years, Srikanth slowly noticed that there wasn't much being done when it comes to waste management, so he wanted to ensure that any company he sets up remains sustainable and environment-friendly. Thus, Bollant Industries was born to produce eco-friendly disposable products, like bowls and plates, and packaging solutions — all made from recycled kraft paper and agricultural disposables. They do this by acquiring distressed units, use advanced technology and turn them into facilities. They have disposable packaging units in Nacharam, Nizamabad and other places, and have turned two distressed units into functional facilities that produce brown kraft paper from soiled paper, household municipal waste and more. They have their own retail chain through which they distribute their products. "We have generated a revenue of `82 crore  and we hired about 500 people. We are aiming for `160 crore," says the 28-year-old.

Srikanth is felicitated | (Pic: Bollant Industries)

Speaking about employing those who are disabled, he says, "They come with a lot of stigma and baggage. We have to understand where they come from and assign the right tasks, that's the trick. We give them repetitive tasks. Soon, people start to understand each other, become friends and then, a culture of oneness prevails," says Srikanth. In this way, each and every individual who joins them is transformed in a way that wouldn't have been possible otherwise. When we ask if India is a disabled-friendly nation, he opines, "The government is making people lazy, not empowering them. When the government gives out freebies, why will people feel the need to work. But from an accessibility and mindset point of view, things are changing."

Ratan Tata had invested an undisclosed amount in Bollant Industries


Once Bollant Industries is done with plastic, they want to move on to wet waste and organic and inorganic waste to continue making the world greener. "We want to be one of the most environmentally-friendly and sustainable business conglomerates in the world. We would like to conquer the paper and packaging space in India and make products that we are proud of," he says. They are already a zero-waste company and are growing by 15 per cent a year. And Srikanth plans on ensuring that this growth only increases.

Keeping count
- First unit at Bibinagar: One unit was under the bank for five years and was in really bad shape. They invested a decent amount and the unit, with a capacity of 30 metric tons, now manufactures 100 metric tons of recycled brown kraft paper
- Second unit in Medchal: It was a 'sick' unit. In a matter of four months, this unit, which used to produce 30 to 60 metric tons, today produces 160 metric tons of kraft paper out of soiled paper

For more on them, check out bollant.com

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