Chennai, 21 October 2026: PLUSS Advanced Technologies Ltd., a materials research and manufacturing company specialising in Phase Change Materials (PCMs) for thermal energy storage and speciality polymers, in partnership with Advit Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation working on environmental conservation and livelihood enhancement, has undertaken the initiative to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for women at the Omayal Achi Community Health Centre in Tiruvallur.
Women from the surrounding communities have been trained to use solar dryers to dry and add value to agricultural and locally available produce. In contrast, a PCM-based solar cold storage solution has been provided to store fresh and perishable products. By combining technology with skills and local resources, the initiative aims to raise awareness among 350–400 women across 15 villages each year. The technology has enabled them to process and preserve agricultural produce, reducing post-harvest losses and creating livelihood opportunities.
The goal is to empower women so that they can move beyond selling fresh produce and explore opportunities in food processing, preservation and value addition. By extending the shelf life of produce and reducing spoilage, the initiative helps them develop value-added products that can be stored and marketed at better prices. Solar dryer technology has started benefiting women from the Thendral Self-Help Group (SHG).
Speaking about the initiative, Samit Jain, Managing Director, PLUSS Advanced Technologies said, “At PLUSS, we believe that technology can create impact beyond its immediate application when it is combined with the right usage, community participation, and access to markets. With the use of our solar drying technology and solar-powered cold storage women are able to develop practical food-processing and preservation capabilities and explore sustainable livelihood opportunities. We are pleased to partner with Advit Foundation and Omayal Achi in building a model that has the potential to grow into a viable community.”
The programme builds on Advit Foundation’s experience in using technology and skill development to strengthen rural livelihoods. One of their initiatives was the Phagi Project in Rajasthan, where its Aarohan centre trains over 100 women monthly. Advit has supported livelihood enhancement, renewable-energy-based food processing, entrepreneurship, and women’s self-help groups in food processing and value-chain activities.
For PLUSS, the initiative brings its phase change material technology into a community-based livelihood setting. Aagun® is designed to provide continuous drying by storing solar heat during sunshine hours and using that stored thermal energy during non-sunshine hours. This enables consistent drying without dependence on grid electricity. HimaCool™, meanwhile, uses PCM-based thermal energy storage to maintain cold-room temperatures beyond the hours of sunlight, supporting the storage of fresh and perishable produce.