Padlabs Founder Ajinkya Dhariya – The Padman of 2023

Famously known as the Padman of 2023, Ajinkya Dhariya has made headlines for his groundbreaking work in menstrual hygiene and environmental sustainability through his start-up Padcare Labs Pvt Ltd. With the launch of the world’s first odorless, smokeless sanitary pad recycling ecosystem, Ajinkya is on a mission to address one of the most pressing issues facing Indian women today. As he highlighted on Shark Tank India, 330 million Indian women dispose of 12 billion sanitary napkins yearly, and a staggering 98 % of this waste ends up in landfills and water bodies. This severely threatens public health and hygiene and contributes to environmental degradation, as sanitary napkins can take over 800 years to decompose naturally.

Ajinkya’s Padcare Labs offers a faster, more efficient, and environment-friendly solution to the problem. Using scientific processes and advanced technology, Padcare Lab can decompose sanitary waste and transform it into biodegradable and reusable products. This innovation has earned Ajinkya recognition as Forbes’ 30 under 30 lists for Healthcare and Science in Asia.

Thanks to his appearance on Shark Tank India, Ajinkya has taken his business to new heights as the platform provided a much-needed boost to Padcare Labs while also bringing much-needed attention to the issue of menstrual hygiene and waste management. Lenkart’s Co-Founder and CEO Peyush Bansal also coined the name “Padman of 2023” for Ajinkya to create a world where menstrual hygiene is no longer taboo and sustainable waste management practices are the norm.

“Shark Tank gave us confidence in our work. As an aftermath of my pitch, Aman helped me with hardware and operational assistance. Anupam and Peyush kept sending their tips my way while Vineeta and Namita were more interested in the work we did as the problem we were tackling was of personal relevance to them.”

Ajinkya Dhariya, Padcare Founder & CEO

Early Life & Education

Ajinkya completed his HSC from DG Ruparel College of Arts, Science, and Commerce in 2013. His thirst for knowledge led him to pursue Mechanical Engineering at Shri Guru Gobind Singhji Institute of Engineering and Technology, where he graduated with flying colors in 2017.

Ajinkya’s dedication to self-improvement did not stop there. He has also obtained certifications in various courses from UP-Grade, Wharton Executive Education, and the University of Virginia. His pursuit of education and desire to stay current with industry trends have allowed him to develop diverse skills that he brings to his role as the Padcare Labs founder.

Ajinkya and the Road to Padcare

Ajinkya Dhariya is a prime example of how a life-changing experience can alter one’s career path. During his final year of engineering in 2017, he was working on an immersion project when he witnessed something that shook him to his core. On a site visit to a garbage yard, he observed a rag-picker picking up a used sanitary napkin with bare hands, which led him to delve into the issue of sanitary waste management. This experience ignited a fire within Ajinkya, and upon discovering the depths and severity of this issue, his mind was flooding with thoughts and ideas.

Despite being prepared for a career in the mechanical and automotive industries, he pivoted to work on a project that he was truly passionate about. With his knowledge of machinery and motion automotive, he formulated a process to decompose sanitary pads using technology and machinery. He designed and fabricated the machines required for the operation, using his expertise to create a groundbreaking solution that has the potential to transform the way we manage sanitary waste.

Padcare Labs and Their Technology

The cornerstone of Padcare’s product line is the ‘Sanibin’, designed to contain a pad for up to thirty days without any unpleasant odor. This simple but effective solution provides women with a discreet and hygienic way of disposing of their sanitary pads. But, the real game-changer is the ‘Saneco’, an automated hygiene management appliance that converts sanitary waste into sterilized, segregated cellulose and plastic output. The Saneco can decompose 1500 pads daily, making it a highly efficient and eco-friendly solution for waste management.

Padcare’s approach to waste management is founded on a 5D model. This technology ensures disintegration, decolorization, deodorizing, disinfection, and deactivation of the super absorbent polymer used in sanitary pads, which is then converted it into recyclable material. This helps reduce the environmental impact of sanitary waste and also provides a sustainable solution for waste management.

Future and Vision

Ajinkya Dhariya is a visionary who has dedicated his life to revolutionizing how we approach waste management. He has already made significant strides with Padcare Labs but Ajinkya’s work is far from done. Now he is setting his sights on a new challenge – He intends to work towards decomposing baby diapers as the company moves forward. His commitment to improving the world’s waste management is inspiring, and a powerful reminder that even the smallest actions can have a profound impact on the world around us. Ajinkya Dhariya is a true champion of sustainability, and his ambition to improve the world’s waste management pad by pad will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of hygiene and waste management.