Sonali Bag

The Sonali Bag, also known as the Golden Bag, Jute Polymer, or Eco-friendly Poly Bag (in Bengali: সোনালী ব্যাগ), represents a groundbreaking biodegradable bioplastic. Crafted as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic bags, especially polythene ones, this innovation hails from Bangladesh, thanks to the efforts of scientist Mubarak Ahmad Khan. The primary ingredient in the Sonali Bag is cellulose, derived from jute, a globally cultivated vegetable fiber crop.

History
In 2002, Bangladesh imposed a ban on polythene bags due to rising environmental concerns. This legislative move spurred research into natural fiber composite (NFC) materials as potential replacements for polythene. Mubarak Ahmad Khan, a scientist at the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, worked with researchers from Bangladesh over several decades to create a new type of natural fiber composite (NFC) material made from jute. In 2018, the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) started the commercial production of Sonali Bag using a jute-based NFC developed by Mubarak Ahmad Khan. The product was named "Sonali Bag" (sonali is Bengali for "golden") by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This name highlights a nickname used for jute in Bangladesh, 'the golden fiber', that emphasizes its high value and quality.