Nanotech firm Log 9 hives off subsidiary for clean-tech solutions

Nanotechnology startup Log 9 Materials, which explores graphene-based technology, has floated a subsidiary called Log 9 Spill Containment Pvt. Ltd that will focus on clean-tech. 

The company, which is part of the TIDES incubation centre at the Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee, will manufacture products for managing and cleaning spillage of chemicals and hydrocarbon-based liquids in water bodies.

The Mumbai-based subsidiary said in a statement that it has already started selling its sorbent pads to a number of petrochemical refineries and marine clean-up and environment protection stakeholders.

“Of late, we have been experimenting with the absorption and micro-channeling properties of graphene, and have produced an innovative oil sorbent range that can absorb oil, petrochemicals, and/or other hydrocarbon-based liquids, almost upto five times more effectively as other sorbent pads available in the market,” said Akshay Singhal, chief executive officer at Log 9 Materials. 

“With the kick-start of operations for Log 9 Spill Containment as a private limited company, we can reach out to industries using  similar products or offerings with respect to cost savings and positive environmental impact,” he added.

Founded in 2015, Log 9 had previously raised Rs 3 crore in a pre-Series A round of funding from a group of investors including Metaform Ventures, Hemant Luthra, chairman of auto-parts maker Mahindra CIE, and Delhi-based micro venture capital firm GEMS Partners.

The company has thus far released graphene-based nanotechnology materials including Log 9 Sorbent for absorbing oil spills, cigarette filter PuFF which cuts down toxins and a metal-air battery to provide clean energy solutions for electric vehicles.