India produces large amounts of temple flower waste each day. It pollutes water and harms animals. Phool turned this overlooked stream into a structured business. This breakdown shows the steps behind it.
| Company | Phool.co |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Ankit Agarwal |
| Sector | Environment & Circular Economy |
| Headquarters | Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh |
| Core Problem | Temple flower waste pollutes the Ganga and creates chemical contamination. |
| Primary Solution | Converts floral waste into compostable materials, incense, and Fleather (a leather alternative). |
| Business Model | Collects temple waste, processes it in micro-factories, and sells value-added products. |
| Verified Highlights | • Winner, 2022 Earthshot Prize (Build a Waste-Free World) • Received funding from Alia Bhatt and IAN (Indian Angel Network) • Developed Fleather, recognized globally as a leather alternative (Earthshot Prize) |
The Problem
Temple towns discard huge amounts of flowers into rivers every day. These flowers carry pesticides and dyes. They damage water, animals and soil. Uttar Pradesh alone was dumping more than eight tons of flowers into the Ganga each day. This was a daily pollution cycle.
The Decision
In 2015, Ankit Agarwal started collecting waste flowers in Kanpur. In 2017, Kanpur Flowercycling Pvt Ltd was registered. This company owns the Phool.co brand. He built a small unit to turn them into incense, compost, and natural colours. Later, his team studied flower fibres and developed a new material called Fleather, a leather-like sheet made from flower fibres.
The Turning Point
The discovery of Fleather changed the company. It moved Phool from a small incense brand to a materials company. European fashion brands began testing the material. Investors saw a bigger market.
The Outcome
Phool now recycles more than 22,060 tons of temple flowers. More than 300 women from marginalised communities work in their units. They have offset more than eleven tons of floral pesticides. Nineteen children from these families have started attending school after receiving a steady income. Fleather production has reached pilot scale. The company reported revenues of just ₹3 crore in FY 2019–20, which then surged to ₹50 crore in FY 2023–24 (about $6 million).
The Market Size
India’s incense market is expected to reach USD 1.28 billion by 2025 and is projected to continue growing. The global vegan leather market is worth several billion dollars. Temple waste in India crosses several million tons each year. Every major temple town is a potential source of supply. This gives Phool a large input market and multiple output markets.
The Business Model
Phool earns from two sides. First, B2C incense, cones, and compost are sold online. These products have healthy margins because raw materials are cheap. Second, B2B materials like Fleather and Florafoam, a biodegradable packaging material made from flower waste, are sold to fashion and packaging companies. This gives a higher value per unit. The model depends on daily collection, local processing and clean branding.
The Challenges
Flower waste is perishable. Collection must happen daily. Quality must stay consistent. Cultural sensitivity is another challenge. Temples follow strict customs for disposing of sacred flowers.
The Seed Idea
A local flower drying unit near a temple. Produce compost, colours, or simple fragrance cones. Sell to gardeners, homestays and local shops.
Food for Thought
List the main waste streams in your town. Note which one repeats daily. That could be your starting point.
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