Cow dung paint is an innovative, eco-friendly, and cost-effective wall coating that is inspired by the ancient Indian tradition of coating walls and floors with cow dung for its insulating and antimicrobial properties.
It is a modern product, often branded as Khadi Prakritik Paint by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in India.
Key Features of Cow Dung Paint:
- Eco-friendly: Made primarily from a renewable resource (cow dung) and other natural ingredients, it is non-toxic, biodegradable, and has negligible Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), making it safer for the environment and indoor air quality.
- Health Benefits (Ashta Laabh – Eight Benefits): It is often touted as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and free from heavy metals.
- Thermal Insulator: The natural properties of cow dung help regulate indoor temperatures, keeping rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
- Cost-Effective: It is generally priced lower than many conventional synthetic paints.
- Available Forms: It is typically available in two forms: distemper paint and plastic emulsion paint.
How Cow Dung Paint is Manufactured
The manufacturing process involves scientific treatment of the cow dung to convert it into a usable, high-quality paint. While the exact patented process may vary, the general steps for producing the base material often include:
- Raw Material Collection: Fresh cow dung is collected.
- Processing (e.g., Separation, Grinding, Boiling, Bleaching): The cow dung is scientifically treated and processed. This involves steps like:
- Separation: Separating the solid material from the dung.
- Grinding: Grinding the material into a finer consistency.
- Boiling/Treatment: Boiling and treating the dung to remove impurities and enhance its properties.
- Bleaching/Whitening: Bleaching the treated material to create a white base for the paint.
- Filtering and Mixing: The treated and purified cow dung pulp is filtered and then mixed with other natural binders (like lime or natural gums), additives, and pigments to create the final paint formulation (either a distemper or an emulsion).
- Quality Testing: The final product is lab-tested to ensure it meets quality standards (e.g., BIS standards) for washability, durability, and drying time.
- Packaging: The finished paint is packaged for distribution.
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) developed the technology and provides technical training and technology transfer to entrepreneurs to set up manufacturing units, often aligning with schemes like the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).
SIDVIG in Cow Dung Paint
Sidvig & Co. is key manufacturer and authorized partner of the Khadi Prakritik Paint initiative:
- Authorized Manufacturer: Sidvig is reported as an authorized manufacturer of Khadi Prakritik Paint under the KVIC initiative.
- Technology Implementation: They utilize the technology transferred by KVIC (developed by the Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute, Jaipur) for scalable and consistent production of the cow dung-based paint.
- Promoting Sustainability and Rural Economy: By manufacturing the paint, Sidvig contributes to the goals of KVIC:
- Generating additional income for farmers and cow shelters (Gaushalas) by purchasing cow dung.
- Creating sustainable local employment in rural areas.
- Offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic paints.
The cow dung paint manufacturing unit of Sidvig, have a specific paint manufacturer section in Unit.