Thiruvananthapuram/ NewDelhi: HLL Lifecare Limited (HLL), a Mini Ratna public sector enterprise under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has stepped up efforts to promote menstrual hygiene by increasing menstrual cup producƟon and expanding the distribuƟon of menstrual cups under various projects, including its Corporate Social Responsibility iniƟaƟve, Thinkal.
As part of these efforts, HLL has increased its annual menstrual cup producƟon capacity to 5 million menstrual cups. To achieve this, the producƟon capacity of the menstrual cup manufacturing facility at HLL’s Akkulam Factory in Thiruvananthapuram has been raised to 3 million menstrual cups annually. The upgraded facility was recently inaugurated by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava. The iniƟaƟve underscores HLL’s commitment to improving menstrual and reproducƟve health outcomes, promoƟng environmentally sustainable menstrual hygiene soluƟons, and strengthening indigenous manufacturing capabiliƟes in line with naƟonal prioriƟes.
The increase in producƟon capacity will also enable the company to expand the free distribuƟon of menstrual cups to underprivileged women across the country under the Thinkal project during the financial year 2026–27. HLL’s menstrual cups, branded as “Thinkal Cups,” are distributed under this iniƟaƟve to promote menstrual cups as a safe and hygienic menstrual hygiene opƟon, encourage cost-effecƟve menstrual hygiene management, and reduce environmental waste. Of the total planned distribuƟon during the financial year, three lakh menstrual cups will be distributed in Kerala.
The project is being implemented by HLL Management Academy (HMA), HLL’s not-for-profit educaƟonal and social development subsidiary. The project was first implemented in Alappuzha municipality during the 2018 floods. The iniƟaƟve helped the municipality address the issue of sanitary pad waste during the crisis period. HMA has so far distributed 15 lakh menstrual cups across nine States – Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala – and two Union Territories, Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Dr. Krishna S. H., Manager, Public Health Projects, HMA, said the project will be implemented with the support of partner organisaƟons, including public sector companies. “HMA also conducts awareness sessions for beneficiary women on the proper use of menstrual cups and menstrual hygiene management. The iniƟaƟve seeks to improve menstrual health literacy and
break cultural taboos surrounding menstruaƟon. We ensure that beneficiaries derive long term health benefits from the use of menstrual cups,” she said.
HLL manufactures a range of menstrual hygiene products. Its menstrual cups are made of high-quality medical-grade silicone, making them safe, flexible, durable, reusable and environmentally friendly. While Thinkal Cups are distributed under the Thinkal CSR project, HLL’s other menstrual cup brands, including Velvet and Cool Cup, are available commercially.
“Menstrual cups are reusable and can last for several years, making them a cost-effecƟve and environmentally friendly alternaƟve to disposable menstrual products. They are also safe and hygienic when used properly and provide long-lasƟng leak protecƟon and comfort,” Dr. Krishna said.
HLL also manufactures sanitary napkins under the brands Happy Days, Freedays and Sakhi. Happy Days biodegradable sanitary pads are aimed at addressing the growing challenge of sanitary pad waste, with India generaƟng about 12.3 billion used sanitary pads every year.
HLL also has a broad reproducƟve healthcare porƞolio covering contracepƟon, family planning and women’s reproducƟve health. Its products include condoms such as MOODS, USTAD and NIRODH; female condoms; Copper-T intrauterine contracepƟve devices (IUDs) such as T-CARE and M-CARE; oral contracepƟve pills, including the non-hormonal Saheli Plus; emergency contracepƟve pills; tubal rings; and women’s reproducƟve healthcare products related to ferƟlity, menstrual cycle regulaƟon and pregnancy support. Through these products, HLL has played a significant role in improving access to affordable reproducƟve healthcare and family planning soluƟons in India.
