Aasawari Kane

Revolutionising Menstrual Waste Management with PadCare Labs

Aasawari Kane

Founding Member

PadCare Labs Pvt. Ltd.

Microbiology in India is at a critical juncture, with the potential to revolutionise industries and address pressing environmental and health challenges. As the country grapples with waste management, agricultural sustainability, and healthcare accessibility, advancements in microbiology are emerging as solutions to some of its most complex issues. From bio-remediation techniques to microbial-based innovations in agriculture and waste management, the sector is evolving rapidly, offering new pathways for sustainable growth. Aasawari Kane, Founding Member of PadCare Labs Pvt. Ltd., is driving this transformation with her expertise in microbiology and biotechnology. Her work focuses on creating environmentally sustainable and user-centric products that have a profound societal impact. Aasawari has been a pioneer in developing innovative solutions like recycling menstrual waste into valuable resources, directly addressing a critical gap in waste management while reducing environmental impact. By combining her technical expertise with a strategic business mindset, she is leading PadCare Labs toward greater impact, fostering partnerships, and scaling solutions that benefit communities. Aasawari’s vision extends beyond product development; she is committed to advancing India’s biotechnology landscape by harnessing its unique biodiversity and scientific talent.With a focus on sanitary waste management, she envisions India becoming a global leader in biotechnology, addressing environmental challenges while promoting economic growth. Through her leadership, Aasawari is paving the way for a greener, more resilient future for India. In this exclusive interview with TradeFlock, she speaks more about her work.

How did your background in microbiology and biotechnology shape your role at PadCare Labs?

My journey in microbiology and biotechnology set the stage for my role as a founding member of PadCare Labs. Through academic and professional experiences, I grew increasingly aware of the pressing environmental and health challenges associated with menstrual waste. A pivotal moment came when I encountered incinerators and saw their inefficiencies, environmental damage, and health risks firsthand. This realisation sparked a search for better solutions. At the same time, I met Ajinkya Dhariya, founder and CEO, and Shriniwas Adhe, founding member of PadCare Labs, whose visionary approach aligned perfectly with my aspirations. Microbiology gave me insights into decomposition and waste treatment, while biotechnology enabled me to explore advanced recycling methods. This blend of expertise proved instrumental in developing PadCare Labs’ innovative processes. Together, we aimed to bridge the gap between science and societal impact by creating ecofriendly and accessible solutions for menstrual hygiene management. Our work transforms menstrual waste into valuable resources, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. Today, PadCare Labs exemplifies how scientific innovation and purpose-driven collaboration can address realworld challenges and drive meaningful change.

What drives your focus on user-centric, eco-friendly products, and how do you meet community needs?

My focus on creating user-centric and environmentally friendly products stems from a commitment to solving real-world problems that benefit both people and the planet. At PadCare Labs, innovation is meaningful only when it addresses individual needs while promoting sustainability. To meet community needs, we engage directly with users, stakeholders, and communities to understand their challenges and expectations. This feedback informs every stage of our development. Pilot programmes and iterative testing further refine our solutions. By integrating circular economy principles and minimising ecological impact, we ensure our products are practical, sustainable, and impactful, driving real change for society and the environment.

What aspect of your work and its impact keeps you up at night?

What keeps me awake is the urgency of fostering collaboration among industries, policymakers, and communities to address environmental and social challenges. Progress inspires me, but the need for collective action drives my focus on accelerating meaningful, impactful change.

What’s the key to turning a scientific concept into a market-ready product?

The key to translating a scientific concept into a market-ready product is constant development and real-world validation. At PadCare Labs, we prioritised iterative improvement through pilot projects. Even during prototyping, we installed solutions across diverse geographies and markets to gather feedback, understand user needs, and refine the product.This feedback-driven approach accelerated the journey from concept to market while ensuring practicality and effectiveness. By staying agile and user-focused, we successfully launched a solution that was both impactful and commercially viable.

What aspect of your work and its impact keeps you up at night?

What core belief guides your decisions as a researcher, innovator, and leader?

Resilience is a core belief that has guided me as a researcher, innovator, and leader. Turning ideas into impactful solutions is a journey filled with challenges and setbacks. Resilience helps me stay committed, navigate uncertainty, and inspire my team to view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, not obstacles.