Venture Group to set up nano-tech paint plant

Venture Group (VG) is set to establish the first ever nanotechnology-enabled paint manufacturing plant in Bangladesh, an official said on Saturday.

The company will set up the plant in Savar with technical support from the India-based Innovation Centre for Applied Nanotechnology, I-CanNano.

I-CanNano claims to be the world leader in the production of paint using nanotechnology.

"Nano-paints are environment-friendly and highly durable," said AHM Mahtab Uddin, chairman of VG, at a function in the capital. Industries Minister Dilip Barua was present at the function as chief guest.

"The initial investment to set up a nano paint plant is high, but the price of the final product is not more than the price of traditional forms of paint, although it is more durable," the VG chairman told The Daily Star.

Arup Kumar Chatterjee, chief executive officer of I-CanNano, said: "Nano-paints are affordable and can greatly contribute to preventing corrosion."

Chatterjee termed the paint eco-friendly as it changes inorganic nano-materials to non-toxic elements.

"We also use natural materials, like nano-carbon from neem oil, waste oil and also convert agriculture waste into nano-materials," said Chatterjee.

Nano-paints are high-performance paints that disperse inorganic nano-materials. The inorganic route, instead of organic, makes all the difference in the product.