Economic Assessment and Potentiality of Jute Cellulose Based Biopolymer (Sonali Bag®) in Bangladesh

With the undeniable demands of this era to develop and use eco-friendly reusable packaging material, the single-use biopolymer “Sonali bag” is a suitable alternative to plastic bags. The main focus of this study was to explore the production process, economic profitability and market potential of Sonali bags in Bangladesh. Besides secondary data, primary data were collected from Dhaka and Mymensingh districts followed by descriptive statistical analysis. Manufacturing of Sonali bags starts with raw jute collection and processing, then go through several steps that finally end with the printing of bags. The plant generated a profit of TK. 288.29 million annually (BCR 2.41) and if the price of the bag drops to half from the current (Tk.10/piece) that also yields profitability with BCR 1.34. Besides, at the current selling price (TK. 1200/Kg) and assuming 10% replacement of plastic bags use estimates TK. 56.07 billion market potentiality of Sonali bag annually in Dhaka city