In a time when global health crises and economic uncertainties dominated headlines, Singaporean entrepreneur Didi Gan developed a unique approach to sustainability with her start-up N&E Innovations. Founded in 2020, N&E Innovations upcycles food waste into natural antibacterial products, contributing to both public health and environmental conservation.
Through many rounds of research and development (R&D), Didi’s company introduced products that harness the antimicrobial potential of cashew waste, durian husks, orange peels and interestingly, crab shells. This created safer, more sustainable, and natural alternatives to chemical disinfectants.
A Vision Born From The Pandemic
The concept for N&E Innovations came to Didi and her childhood friend turned co-founder Dr Jaslyn Lee while having a Chinese New Year gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic. As demand for masks and disinfectants surged worldwide, they discussed a gap in natural and sustainable antibacterial products.
Looking at the aftermath of their CNY dinner, where nut shells, durian husks and crab shells were scattered on the table, Didi shared that “we were thinking if there was any way to turn something that does not seem useful into a product that actually is?”
With her background in biomedical sciences and Dr Lee’s 10 years’ worth of R&D experience in innovative food technology, they saw an opportunity to repurpose food waste, a common byproduct in the food industry, as an alternative to synthetic chemicals and alcohol that have traditionally been used in disinfectants and antibacterial products.
Cashew waste and durian husks, which are typically discarded, became the first focus of their research. Leveraging on the materials’ natural antimicrobial properties, the pair developed a patented technology called ViKang99.
This innovation uses cashew waste combined with durian husk derived organic compounds to form a molecular coating capable of neutralising bacteria and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, for up to a week.
Challenges And Rewards Of Developing Eco-Friendly And Sustainable Products
Despite N&E Innovations’ successes, Didi faced initial challenges, particularly in overcoming public and industry skepticism around its natural antimicrobial solutions. Historically, the medical and cleaning industries have leaned heavily on synthetic chemicals, as many assume these are more effective than natural alternatives.
Convincing stakeholders on the effectiveness of food-waste-based antibacterial products continues to be a crucial part of N&E’s strategy. Didi and Jaslyn had to hold countless meetings to present their technology to them.
Overcoming these perceptions was achieved through rigorous testing and certification, proving that ViKang99 could deactivate up to 99% of harmful pathogens. These endorsements have helped to reassure consumers and open doors for N&E to expand into new markets.
Additionally, Didi’s commitment to safety is rooted in her daughter’s and co-founder Jaslyn’s skin conditions, and their need for chemical and alcohol-free products. There is a personal motivation behind their mission to create safer, and more environmentally friendly solutions.
“As both Jaslyn and my daughter are managing really bad eczema and can’t use alcohol-based products, we thought let’s try to develop natural and edible hand sanitizers, which was how we further developed the idea to start N&E Innovations” says Didi.
The Science Behind ViKang99: From Food Waste To Antibacterial Agents
Didi’s breakthrough antimicrobial, ViKang99, operates by releasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to moisture and oxygen. ROS are naturally occurring compounds found in all living cells and are known for their ability to damage microbial cell walls, effectively inactivating viruses and bacteria.
This continuous release of ROS gives ViKang99 a self-renewing antibacterial capacity, which keeps surfaces sanitised for up to a week, offering a longer-lasting solution than typical disinfectants.
ViKang99 is utilised in several of N&E Innovations’ flagship products today, including Vi-MASK, an N95-certified reusable mask, and C2+, a multipurpose disinfectant spray. These products maintain hygiene standards while significantly reducing environmental impact by minimising reliance on disposable masks and chemical-heavy sanitisers.
This advancement marks a significant shift toward sustainable, organic disinfection solutions that are safer for both mankind and the planet.
Expanding Sustainable Solutions Globally
To scale up production, N&E Innovations partnered with Intersnack Group, a European snack producer with access to large quantities of cashew waste. This partnership allows N&E Innovations to harness waste material from Intersnack’s processing plants, transforming it into the active antibacterial ingredient in their products.
This collaboration has not only supported N&E’s growth but has also demonstrated how businesses across different sectors can work together to repurpose waste effectively.
Moreover, N&E’s products have gained credibility through various certifications and are now widely used in public spaces in Singapore, such as the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari and Changi Airport, where the disinfectant C2+ is applied to surfaces.
Certifications, such as the 2023 Emerging Enterprise Awards and Red Club x Cartier Young Leader Award 2024, support from notable investor Sopoong Ventures and elev8.vc, and real-world applications provide essential validation for the efficacy of plant-based antimicrobial technology.
Didi’s vision aligns with the principles of a circular economy, where waste materials are transformed into valuable resources, reducing both waste and resource consumption. By repurposing cashew shells and other food waste into high-demand products, N&E Innovations addresses two pressing issues: an abundance of food waste and the environmental harm of synthetic chemicals.
This approach not only mitigates food waste but also provides an alternative that lowers the carbon footprint and minimises toxic waste disposal.
Additionally, N&E Innovations’ products align with global sustainability trends, such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas related to health, clean water and sanitation, and responsible consumption and production.
By creating safe, non-toxic disinfectants and masks, N&E Innovations also contributes to a healthier environment and reduced reliance on single-use plastic by developing a cling wrap made of orange peels and is fully biodegradable as well with 99.9% antibacterial properties.
Didi’s work with N&E Innovations exemplifies how sustainable business practices can create value across multiple dimensions—economic, environmental, and social. By repurposing food waste into high-demand antibacterial products, she not only addresses a significant waste problem but also provides consumers with safe, effective alternatives to chemical disinfectants, which portrays N&E Innovations as a trailblazer in its field.
Read also: Financial Benefits For SMEs To Take A Green and Sustainability-Linked Loan
Expanding Horizons With Diverse Product Variants And European Ventures
Looking ahead, Didi plans to broaden the company’s product line beyond masks and disinfectants, pumping further research into more variants of natural antibacterial coatings, sanitisers, and other personal care items. And to break into the European market from the company’s certifications in Singapore, South Korea, China, and the United States.
This expansion into new applications reflects a growing demand for eco-friendly products in the consumer and industrial markets, as individuals and organisations alike seek sustainable alternatives.
At N&E Innovations, Didi remains focused on maintaining the company’s environmental ethos. By reinvesting profits into research and development, she aims to continue improving the efficacy of her products and exploring additional food byproducts for potential antimicrobial applications. Her journey
underscores the potential of sustainable innovation in tackling global challenges, and in the process encourage other entrepreneurs to find environmentally friendly solutions in overlooked resources.
An Environmental Movement Through Innovation And Resilience
In a world increasingly aware of the environmental toll of single-use products and synthetic chemicals, Gan’s commitment to sustainable innovation serves as a model for industries to rethink their impact and embrace circular economy principles. Her journey highlights that sustainable entrepreneurship is not only feasible but can also drive meaningful change for a healthier, greener planet.
Didi’s advice for other entrepreneurs who want to mix business with their passion to have a positive impact on the environment: “Always have perseverance towards your mission, but when it is time to take a minor pivot to reach your goal, make it happen.”
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