Minister taps SLINTEC to provide alternatives to plastic and polythene to be banned

By Ifham Nizam

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has requested the Sri Lanka Institute of Nano Technology (SLINTEC) to assist in identifying alternatives to plastic and polythene to be banned.

Amaraweera, addressing a group of SLINTEC officials said most of the minerals were exported as raw materials and if they were exported as value added products or finished goods, the country could earn a higher income than at present.

The Minister also inspected the factory that converts graphite into graphite oxide and graphene. It is the largest one in Asia.

He said: “Our country has so far only exported graphite. We were able to earn a small income from it. But graphite can be converted into finished goods or value added products and a large income can be earned by exporting them.”

Officials pointed out that while a kilo of graphite raw material is exported for around USD 10, a kilo could be sold at a price hundred times higher when it was exported in the form of graphite oxide or graphene as a finished product.

Amaraweera said a large number of mineral resources went for a song to foreign markets and action must be taken to increase their value so that the country would benefit.