
Engineering the Production of Compostable Menstrual Pads Using Plant-Based Fiber as the Main Absorbent Core
This initiative is part of the Sparsa Solution, a Nepali non-profit organization that locally produces and distributes compostable menstrual pads, which have an absorbent core made from banana fiber.,
Conventional fluff pad production machines are either manual-making them labor-intensive and unhygienic-or fully automated, which requires high upfront investment and is often incompatible with eco-friendly materials. To overcome these challenges, engineers from NIDISI, Sparsa, and Grit Engineering developed a semi-automatic, low-cost system tailored to local Made in Nepal.
Built with limited resources, the system produces 3,500–4,000 pads per day and includes:
- A paper shredder for uniform fiber cutting;
- A custom mattress-making machine for the fluffy absorbent core;
- A modified pad assembly machine that seals different layers using ultrasonic sealing and compostable glue.
This setup enables safe, small-scale production while reducing plastic waste and supporting menstrual health for the benefit of women and the environment.