Marico partners to develop sustainable bioactives extraction technologies for edible oils
Marico has partnered with IIT Tirupati to develop sustainable, green extraction technologies for bioactive compounds to upgrade Saffola edible oils. Using eco-friendly chemistry, the collaboration targets heart-healthy, clean-label oils with natural antioxidants, strengthening Marico’s leadership in India’s health-focused cooking oil market while supporting sustainability and innovation goals.
INDIA – India’s leading FMCG powerhouse, Marico Limited, has forged a strategic research collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati to pioneer sustainable extraction technologies for bioactive compounds derived from natural plant sources, targeting transformative upgrades to edible oils.
The partnership leverages green chemistry methods, such as aqueous two-phase systems, for efficient purification, alongside rigorous characterisation, shelf-life validation, and efficacy testing.
This initiative positions Marico’s flagship Saffola oils at the forefront of heart-healthy innovation, addressing consumer demands for science-backed nutrition amid India’s US$15 billion cooking oil market dominated by health-conscious urban households.
Headquartered in Mumbai, Marico commands 20% share in branded oils through Saffola’s clinically proven cholesterol-lowering blends, now evolving toward next-generation bioactives like polyphenols and tocotrienols extracted via eco-friendly processes that slash solvent use by 80% compared to traditional methods.
IIT Tirupati contributes cutting-edge analytical infrastructure and a doctoral researcher under the CII-ANRF Prime Minister’s Fellowship, jointly mentored by academic faculty and Marico’s R&D specialists.
Early milestones include a landmark review paper on binodal curve generation for bio-separation and an impending experimental manuscript, with joint patents planned to safeguard breakthroughs.
Dr Shilpa Vora, Marico’s Chief R&D Officer, emphasized purpose-driven synergy: “Innovation anchors Saffola’s legacy in heart health. Partnering with IIT Tirupati advances green bioactives extraction, unlocking advanced oils aligned with wellness trends and sustainable manufacturing.”
The collaboration integrates Marico’s market insights, gleaned from 100+ million consumers, with IIT’s research ecosystem, accelerating the commercialisation of value-added oils fortified with antioxidants, oxidative stability, and metabolic benefits, without synthetic additives.
This move responds to India’s dependence on edible oil imports (60% of 22 million tons of annual consumption) and the rising prevalence of NCDs, where functional oils offer a 10-15% premium.
Sustainable extraction minimizes environmental impact, supporting Marico’s net-zero ambitions while complying with FSSAI clean-label mandates.
Initial focus: sourcing Indian botanicals such as curry leaves and sesame for localised authenticity.
The partnership exemplifies industry-academia fusion under national innovation missions, mirroring Marico’s prior agritech ventures.
By embedding verifiable bioactives, Marico differentiates itself from Adani Wilmar and Patanjali, reinforcing its leadership in a market where 70% of shoppers prioritise heart-health claims, according to Nielsen.
This collaboration not only elevates edible oils but also pioneers scalable green tech for India’s nutrition revolution.
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Source : Milling MEA
