Challenge winners pioneer eco-friendly sanitary pads and climate resilience in medicinal plants

Dr Pooja Singh of India found a way to transform an invasive aquatic plant into biodegradable sanitary products.

Dr Mokgadi Hlongwane of Pretoria, South Africa, found a way to use beneficial bacteria to enhance the growth and resilience of medicinal plants used to treat wounds, diabetes, cancer and more.

These researchers won the 2025 Elsevier Foundation Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge opens in new tab/window, which seeks solutions rooted in chemistry that can help mitigate the climate crisis. Each will receive a $25,000 prize to conduct their proposed projects.

This year, the Challenge received 213 applications from 60 countries. Five finalists presented their proposals to the scientific jury at the 9th Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference  opens in new tab/windowMarch 4-6 in Pune, India.

“Again, we had many applications of very high quality this year,” said Prof Dr Klaus Kümmerer opens in new tab/window, Chair of the Challenge’s scientific jury and the Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference. “This made it both hard to select the winners and a pleasure to do this and to read all these promising ideas and proposals full of dedication to contribute to sustainability.

“We had an even broader list of suggested topics, which is another remarkable feature of this year’s challenge.”

From 2017 to 2021, about 30% of all scientific research had direct ties to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with climate change emerging as the most frequently referenced topic, according to Scopus data. Meanwhile, chemistry and related sciences can play an important role in devising pragmatic solutions to combat climate change.

With a background in microbial technology, Dr Pooja Singh opens in new tab/window is an Assistant Professor at the Symbiosis Centre for Waste Resource Management opens in new tab/window of Symbiosis International (Deemed University) in India.

Dr Mokgadi Hlongwane opens in new tab/window, who received her PhD in Chemistry, is a Lecturer and Work Integrated Learning Coordinator at the Tshwane University of Technology opens in new tab/window in South Africa.

We spoke with them about their research.

Transforming waste into sustainable sanitary pads

Water hyacinth is an invasive aquatic plant in India, often causing significant ecological damage by clogging waterways and disrupting local ecosystems. To address this issue, Dr Singh has embarked on an innovative project that transforms this problematic plant into a valuable resource, creating biodegradable sanitary products that replace traditional plastic-based options. By utilizing locally sourced materials such as water hyacinth and tapioca, Dr Singh’s team will create a multi-layered sanitary napkin that not only prioritizes menstrual hygiene but also addresses pressing waste management issues:

• The top layer, crafted from woven water hyacinth fibers, will provide a soft and absorbent surface.

• The middle layer will feature a unique combination of chitosan and tapioca, designed for superior absorbency and biodegradability.

• The bottom layer will ensure leak-proof protection, all while being environmentally friendly.

This initiative goes beyond product development; it empowers women in rural communities by engaging self-help groups in the production process. By providing training and job opportunities, the project fosters economic independence and enhances the livelihoods of marginalized women.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award,” said Dr Singh. “On behalf of my team, I extend our gratitude to the Elsevier Foundation for this opportunity. This recognition validates the importance and potential of our work and underscores the significant role of chemistry and biotechnology for addressing local environmental and health issues.

“This funding support will enhance our ability to provide a green solution for menstrual hygiene, while promoting sustainable waste management in the global South.”

Enhancing climate resilience in medicinal plants

Dr Hlongwane’s project seeks to develop bioinoculants — beneficial bacteria that promote plant growth and resilience against climate stress — thereby ensuring the continued availability of these crucial remedies.

By improving the health and yield of medicinal plants, this project not only supports local farmers but also empowers small-scale agricultural producers, particularly women and youth in rural areas, with the skills needed to enhance crop productivity.

“The proceeds of this award will be used to accelerate the development of a bioinoculant that enhances abiotic stress tolerance for sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants and crops,” said Dr Hlongwane explained. “Backyard and small-scale farmers are going to be equipped with skills to farm smart and sustainably. This milestone serves as an endorsement for the credibility and potential of our project.”

Uncovering tangible solutions to address critical climate issues

The Challenge is organized by the Elsevier Foundation in collaboration with Elsevier’s Sustainable Chemistry journals group and the Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference.

“I am very happy with the winners of the 2025 Challenge” said Rob van Daalen  opens in new tab/window, Senior Publisher for Sustainable Chemistry at Elsevier:

The two winning projects are quite diverse in topic, but they have in common that they can potentially have an enormous impact on local communities. We have limited ourselves to two awards, but this year the projects presented by the five finalists were so strong that we could have easily given a third, fourth and even fifth award.

Ylann Schemm, Executive Director of the Elsevier Foundation, the 2025 winners “remind us of the critical role women play in addressing climate change.

Their innovative solutions not only tackle pressing environmental issues but also the unique needs of their communities. In short, Pooja Singh and Hlongwane Mokgadi embody the spirit of the Challenge, celebrating research at the intersection of gender equity and climate action.