Young Hyderabad entrepreneur’s biodegradable startup BioReform gains global traction
HYDERABAD: A sustainability startup incubated at Atal Incubation Centre-IIIT Hyderabad (AIC-IIITH) is gaining global recognition for its biodegradable alternatives to plastic carry bags. BioReform, founded by 21-year-old entrepreneur Mohammed Azhar Mohiuddin, claims to have replaced more than 15 million single-use plastic bags through its plant-based products.
The startup manufactures “Greeny” bags using corn starch and biopolymers that decompose within months. Azhar said the product was developed after studying biopolymer research and the environmental impact of plastic waste. “Among the top global issues, plastic pollution stood out. We needed an alternative that was practical and scalable,” he said.
BioReform secured second place among 300 startups from 40 countries at an international competition in Saudi Arabia organised under the Ministry of Haj and Umrah. Azhar described the recognition as a milestone for both environmental innovation and India’s global presence.
AIC-IIITH incubation support strengthens sustainability startup’s growth trajectory
The company joined the second cohort of AIC-IIITH’s accelerator programme in 2024. The eight-month initiative included workshops on business development, sales, finance and go-to-market strategies. Ravi Sarkunan, chief executive officer of AIC-IIITH, said the programme aims to support early-stage ventures with mentorship and market access.
Rinkesh Dharod, associated with the incubation programme, said the BioReform team demonstrated responsiveness to feedback on scale and market expansion. The startup received milestone-based seed funding through the EPAM Social Impact Innovation Programme, which focuses on sustainable development goals.
AIC-IIITH operates from the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at IIIT Hyderabad, providing co-working spaces, research support and industry networks. Other ventures incubated there include textile waste recycler Muddle Art, water restoration initiative The Rainwater Project and waste management firm Ecowrap.
Plant-based bags aim to cut single-use plastic dependence globally
Azhar said the idea for BioReform emerged during his second year of engineering studies in October 2021. Within months, the concept received pre-seed support from student incubator EdVenture Park. The startup inaugurated its manufacturing unit in Jeedimetla industrial area on January 12, 2022.
Initial market entry involved challenges related to custom printing, bag handles and sealing quality. “We had to recalibrate formulations and machinery within weeks to meet customer expectations,” Azhar said. He balanced academic commitments with factory operations and delivery schedules in the early phase.
The company now operates five machines and an in-house printing facility with an 11-member team. Its products cater to retail, logistics, hospitality and healthcare sectors. The range includes compostable carry bags, food-grade pouches, garbage bags and biomedical waste packaging.
International recognition and expansion plans mark next phase of growth
BioReform’s presence spans eight Indian metros and four countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The startup has participated in initiatives such as Maharashtra Startup Week 2025, Kotak Bizlabs, T-Hub and the Lufthansa Group’s Impact Lab.
It also features as a case study under the PLEASE Project involving the World Bank and the United Nations Office for Project Services. The initiative explores sustainable solutions for plastic waste in island nations such as the Maldives.
Following the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the startup applied for a government programme that drew 10,000 entries in a single day. BioReform emerged among the top five ventures and is currently in discussions to set up a manufacturing facility in Ras Al Khaimah.
Azhar said the company tracks environmental impact alongside revenue growth. “While revenue matters, our key metric is the number of plastic bags replaced,” he added.
BioReform is also diversifying into eco-friendly milk packaging and non-adhesive barricading tapes designed for varied climatic conditions. The firm is exploring flexible packaging alternatives for disposable food containers and biomedical packaging solutions using engineered biopolymers.
