New Delhi: Union Road Transport and Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Nitin Gadkari will launch an innovative paint developed by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission at his residence on January 12, 2021. Called ‘Khadi Natural Paint’, this paint is eco-friendly, non-toxic, which is the first product of its kind with anti-fungal, antibacterial properties. Based on cow dung as the main ingredient, this paint is economical and odorless, certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
Khadi natural paint is available in two forms ie Distemper Paint and Plastic Emulation Paint. According to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of increasing the income of farmers, Khadi natural paint is being produced. The concept of the project was formulated in March 2020 by the Chairman of Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC). It was then developed by Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute, Jaipur (unit of KVIC).
This paint is free from lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, cadmium and other heavy metals. This will empower local manufacturers and create sustainable local employment through technology transfer. This technology will increase the consumption of cow dung as a raw material for environmentally friendly products and also increase the income of farmers and cowsheds. It is estimated that farmers / cowsheds will have an additional income of about Rs 30,000 per cattle per year. By using cow dung, the environment will also be clean and the drainage barrier will also be removed.
Three well-known national laboratories – National Test House, Mumbai, Sri Ram Institute for Industrial Research, New Delhi and National Test House, Ghaziabad have tested Khadi natural distemper and emulation paint.
Khadi natural emulation paint meets BIS 15489-2013 standards, while Khadi natural distemper paint meets BIS 428: 2013 standards.