Rajagopalan Vasudevan

Indian scientist pioneering waste-to-road technology to combat plastic pollution and infrastructure challenges

Professor Rajagopalan Vasudevan of Thiagarajar College of Engineering in Tamil Nadu is revolutionizing waste management through his plastic road construction methodology. Since developing the process in 2020, his technique has been adopted to build over 10,000 km of roads across India, consuming 50,000 tons of plastic waste annually. The technology involves mixing shredded plastic with bitumen to create durable road surfaces that resist potholes and extreme temperatures.

His innovation addresses dual challenges: reducing plastic pollution (India generates 26,000 tons daily) and improving infrastructure quality. The process creates jobs in waste collection and processing, with trained women's self-help groups becoming key stakeholders. In 2022, the Indian government made this technology mandatory for all national highway construction, marking a historic policy shift.

Vasudevan's research extends to other waste applications, including using construction debris in cement production. His 2023 book 《Waste Not, Want Not: A Resource Revolution》 details scalable solutions for urban waste management. The UNDP has adopted his model in Southeast Asia, and his team's work is featured in the documentary 《Plastic Roads: A New Horizon》.