TataChemicals, part of the giant Tata Group, set the low-cost ball rolling lastDecemberwith its launchof the Swachpurifier (‘swach” means “clean” in Hindi) at 999 rupees (about A$25).
The Swach's cartridge, a key component of the system, resembles Edison's electric bulb and is made up of a composite of rice-husk ash (a highly porous material derived out of paddy husk) and fine particles of nano-silver, which inhibits bacteria growth.