Imagine Himalayan pine cones being converted into a high-carbon material capable of replacing coal-based carbon in industrial processes. This low-cost, eco-friendly innovation could help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower industrial carbon emissions while producing styrene, a key chemical used in plastics, synthetic rubber, and resins.
That’s exactly what Dr. Itika Kainthla, Assistant Professor of Physics at Solan-based Shoolini University has done. With further development and scale-up, this pine-cone-derived material could become a viable, eco-friendly solution for large-scale industrial applications, bridging natural resources with green innovation for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Actually, the pine-cone-derived material contains over 90 per cent carbon, comparable to high-quality anthracite coal. Laboratory tests showed exceptional performance, achieving 60 per cent conversion and 78 per cent selectivity in converting ethylbenzene into styrene. It remained stable and effective for more than 30 hours, performing on par with high-end commercial carbon materials, such as carbon nanotubes, but at a fraction of the cost. Analyses revealed a coal-like atomic structure with well-stacked carbon layers, while small amounts of naturally occurring nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur further enhance its catalytic activity.
Further studies confirmed that the reaction is spontaneous and endothermic, with favourable kinetic and thermodynamic properties, highlighting the catalyst’s efficiency and reliability for industrial applications. This innovation demonstrates how a biomass-derived material can provide a greener, cost-effective alternative to conventional coal-based carbon, supporting cleaner and more sustainable chemical manufacturing worldwide.
Dr Kainthla who grew up collecting and painting pine cones in Himachal Pradesh, and the same cones now form the basis of a scientific breakthrough with global implications. Expressing herself on the technical achievement and personal significance of the project, she says, “This is more than just science; it’s about giving back to nature and finding solutions in what we often overlook. Pine cones are widely available across the Himalayan region, and our work demonstrates that they can be developed into an efficient, low-cost, and sustainable alternative to coal-based carbon. That this material performs on par with advanced commercial carbons while remaining environmentally responsible is particularly encouraging. It reinforces the idea that practical solutions to global challenges can emerge when familiar natural resources are re-examined with scientific curiosity and purpose.”
The research, conducted in collaboration with CNMS Bengaluru, has been published in the internationally recognised journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, placing Himachal Pradesh and Shoolini University on the global map for sustainable materials research.
