Business Idea

Deepam Palm Dish was established in 1994 to produce plates and cups from areca nut palm leaves. Following considerable research and development with low-cost, user-friendly technology, the palm dishes were introduced to the market in 1998.

Deepam Palm Dish procures the machines for the production of the dishes and sells the machines to entrepreneurs in rural areas with a ready supply of palm leaves. The entrepreneur employs 3-4 people in a unit to produce the dishes that are then bought back by Deepam.

Products and Services

The palm dishes manufactured by Deepam include trays, plates and bowls of different sizes and shapes, such as rectangles, ovals, hexagons and circular. The dishes are eco-friendly, natural, biodegradable and aesthetic in appearance. They do not cause any pollution during manufacturing or after use, and are direct substitutes for disposable products made from hazardous, non-biodegradable materials such as plastic, thermocol and aluminium.

Social and Environmental Impact

In the next five years, Deepam will provide employment to 5,000 rural people as operators and employees in its manufacturing units. Additionally, about 600 educated youth will have an opportunity to work on the operations team. In terms of environmental impact, the areca palm dishes can replace 25-30% of the conventional non-biodegradable products made of plastics, aluminum or thermocol. Deepam's expansion will also help increase awareness of eco-friendly products and thus contribute indirectly to environmental protection.