Research & Development

Sustainable Waste Technology

We are committed to advancing sustainable solid waste management through focused research and development in source-level composting technologies. Recognizing that food waste constitutes a major fraction of municipal solid waste and that centralized waste handling systems often lead to environmental and economic inefficiencies, our R&D efforts are directed toward decentralized, household-level solutions that align with the Swachh Bharat Mission and the principles of the circular economy.

Foab Solutions R&D Lab is located at the Startup Valley TBI (Technology Business Incubator) on the campus of Amaljyothi College of Engineering in Kanjirappally, Kerala. The company has a dedicated lab space of 1,350 sq. ft. and has maintained a relationship with the college, running a cubicle there since 2018.

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R&D Focus: Source-Level Composting

Our R&D philosophy is rooted in the concept that waste segregation and treatment at the point of generation is the most effective way to reduce landfill burden, greenhouse gas emissions, and public health risks. Foab Solutions focuses on developing systems that are simple, scalable, odor-free, and behavior-friendly, enabling households to manage food waste without dependence on external infrastructure sustainably.

Extensive field studies were conducted to understand household waste composition, daily food waste generation rates, moisture content, climatic influences, and user behavior patterns. These insights informed the design of an integrated composting solution, a composting device called ‘Geebin’, the first multi-layer aerobic composter.

Geebin Composting Device: Product Development and Optimization

The Geebin composting bin is the result of iterative R&D aimed at creating an efficient, user-friendly, and hygienic household composting system. The design addresses key challenges commonly associated with domestic composting, such as foul odor, pest infestation, excess leachate, and slow degradation.

Key R&D features of Geebin include:

  • Optimized aeration architecture to maintain aerobic conditions and prevent anaerobic odour formation
  • Moisture regulation mechanisms to balance high-moisture food waste typical of Indian kitchens
  • Modular and ergonomic design suitable for urban apartments, independent houses, and institutions
  • Durable, food-grade materials ensure long service life and user safety

Pilot trials were conducted across diverse households to validate composting efficiency, ease of operation, and maintenance requirements. Feedback-driven refinements led to improvements in airflow dynamics, waste loading patterns, and compost harvesting convenience. The result is a device that supports daily waste feeding and delivers stable compost within a shortened processing cycle.

Microbial Consortium Development: Dcom & Flourish

A core strength of Foab Solutions’ R&D lies in the development of proprietary microbial consortia, branded as Dcom and Flourish, designed specifically for accelerated food waste composting and compost maturation.

Dcom – Decomposition Accelerator

Dcom is a carefully formulated consortium of naturally occurring, non-pathogenic microorganisms selected for their ability to rapidly degrade:

  • Carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids from cooked and raw food waste
  • Fibrous vegetable residues and mixed organic matter

R&D activities involved:

  • Isolation and screening of efficient decomposer strains
  • Compatibility studies to ensure synergistic microbial action
  • Optimization for performance under variable household conditions (temperature, moisture, waste variability)

Dcom significantly reduces composting time, suppresses odor-causing microbes, and minimizes the attraction of flies and pests, thereby enhancing user acceptance.

Flourish – Compost Enrichment Culture

Flourish is designed as a post-decomposition enrichment formulation that enhances the quality of compost produced in Geebin. It promotes:

  • Further stabilization and humification of organic matter
  • Enrichment of beneficial microflora
  • Improved nutrient availability for soil application

Laboratory and field evaluations demonstrated that compost treated with Flourish exhibits improved texture, reduced phytotoxicity, and better plant growth response, making it suitable for home gardens, terrace farming, and landscaping.

Integrated System Validation

Foab Solutions’ R&D emphasizes system-level integration, where the Geebin device, Dcom, and Flourish function as a cohesive composting ecosystem. Controlled trials and real-world household deployments validated:

  • Reduction in waste volume sent to municipal collection systems
  • Consistent production of odor-free, mature compost
  • Ease of adoption by users with minimal training

The integrated system supports behavioral change, enabling households to view food waste not as refuse but as a valuable input for soil regeneration.

Future R&D Directions

On-going and future R&D initiatives include:

  • Climate-adaptive microbial formulations
  • Smart monitoring features for composting performance
  • Scale-up variants for apartments, institutions, and community clusters
  • Impact assessment on carbon footprint reduction and municipal waste diversion

Through continuous innovation, Foab Solutions Pvt. Ltd. aims to strengthen decentralized waste management, support policy goals, and contribute meaningfully to a cleaner, resource-efficient future.