Aruna Revolution

What it does

Aruna’s fibertech powers a compostable menstrual pad that replaces plastic-based products. It solves two urgent problems: plastic pollution from hygiene waste and unequal access to safe, high-performance period care for all menstruators.

Your inspiration

Menstrual pads are a major but silent contributor to the pollution crisis. As a biomedical engineer and menstruator, I was shocked to learn that most contain up to 90% plastic, and had harmful chemicals like dioxins and lead. I was very frustrated by the greenwashing and cleanwashing in this space. Many products labeled “eco” or “organic” still contain plastics, pollute the planet or have misleading claims - even the cotton and bamboo ones. Aruna was born from my desire to create a pad that’s good for both the body and the planet while breaking the stigma in the process. I knew we could do better, and decided to start the revolution myself.

How it works

At the core of my product is my proprietary fibertech innovation, a custom blend of agricultural fibers engineered for absorbency, breathability, and compostability. These fibers are processed through a low-waste system that enhances fluid uptake and structural integrity without the use of superabsorbent polymers or plastics. The top layer, which touches the skin, is soft and OEKO-TEX certified; it has passed human skin safety tests for biocompatibility. Beneath this sits our absorbent Aruna fiber layer, designed to retain flow while maintaining comfort and biodegradability. The backsheet is certified compostable (TUV OK Compost Home & Industry). Every component has been optimized to perform like a premium pad while breaking down in under 2 month under composting conditions. This innovation makes our pads safe for people and circular for the planet.

Design process

I began with a mission to eliminate harmful chemicals from menstrual pads but quickly realized I needed to innovate at the fiber level. Using a lab-scale wet-laid process, I experimented with agricultural by-products, engineering a custom fiber blend optimized for fluid retention, softness, and biodegradability. My earliest prototypes were too brittle, not absorbent enough or didn't have structural integrity to hold form. I refined fiber ratios, layering methods, and drying techniques, eventually achieving a pad with incredible absorption and structural integrity, that too without the need for superabsorbent polymers or synthetics. I tested each version with friends and community for fit, comfort, and leak protection, while running lab trials for compostability and tensile strength. The top sheet underwent biocompatibility testing (67-person RIPT study) to ensure skin safety. Each component was selected based on performance and sustainability metrics, then third-party certified. Over 3 years, I've scaled from lab samples to small-batch manufacturing, using ISO 9001-certified partners. Today, Aruna pads are ready for institutional rollouts, and our proprietary fibertech continues to evolve for broader applications from cosmetics to hydroponic substrates!

How it is different

Most “eco-friendly” pads still contain plastic, synthetic superabsorbent polymers or resource intensive cotton or bamboo making them unsustainable despite green branding. Aruna pads are different from the fiber up. Our fibertech innovation uses agricultural by-products engineered into a fully compostable absorbent layer, offering premium performance without plastic. Unlike conventional pads, every component of Aruna pads including the top sheet, core, and backsheet is third-party certified for compostability and skin safety. We are also pioneering a new materials category within hygiene: high-performance, plant-based absorbents that can serve menstrual, incontinence, and medical markets. Our fibers are not just a product, they’re a platform. In addition, we pair product delivery with educational tools and storytelling campaigns to fight period stigma, making our solution both technical and cultural. We’re building more than a pad, we’re starting a revolution

Future plans

We’re scaling production to meet institutional demand from schools, governments, and hospitals. We're validating our fibers for other hygiene formats like incontinence and wound care. Our goal is to license Aruna fibers to global hygiene brands and expand into other circular fiber-based products. In parallel, we’ll continue building cultural impact through our Flow & Tell campaign - normalizing periods and driving demand for sustainable, stigma-free care. With Aruna, we can circularize the world of disposable hygiene and use to have social impact but destigmatizing topics that are crucial to understand in order to access menstrual health care

Awards

Earthshot Prize Nominee (Nominated by Oxford University) MaRS Women In Cleantech Grand Prize Winner Loyola Equity Challenge, 2nd Place Winner Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge, Finalist Impact Entrepreneur Prize, Grant Prize Winner Dean's Graduate Award for Knowledge Translation and Applied Science