Activity Report

WORKSHOP ON "R&D IMPACT ON INDIAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY"

The Indian chemical industry is one of the oldest indigenous industries and has been contributing for the economic growth of the country. Industry has made rapid strides in sub-sectors such as organic chemicals, fine chemicals, pharmaceutical and speciality chemicals etc. To help the industry to intensify its efforts for producing world class products, ICC in cooperation with Indian National Academy of Engineering, has arranged a two-day Workshop on "R&D IMPACT ON INDIAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY" on 4-5 December 2009 at Trident Hotel, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai.

Padmavibhushan Dr. M. M. Sharma, Former Director, Institute of Chemical Technology inaugurated the Workshop. Prof. Sharma in his address mentioned that R&D activity as such is not receiving focus attention in India and the industry must pay attention to R&D and develop new process and products. Prof. Sharma reiterated that in earlier seminars he made observations that chemical companies must appoint Chief of R&D officers who should be on the Board of Directors of the Company. He also referred to his association with Awards Scrutinizing Committee of ICC and referred to Acharya P. C. Ray Award presented in the past by ICC. He also said that initiatives have been taken at academia level for imparting quality training within next couple of years. There will be good availability of qualified Ph.Ds for the industry.

THE TWO-DAY WORKSHOP FOCUSED ON THE AREAS OF:

  • R&D impact on indian chemical sector - basic issues
  • Commercialization of technology
  • Government support for r&d initiative
  • Chemical sub-sectors current status - industry view point, etc.

ICC - GUJARAT: NEW OFFICE INAUGURATED

The New office of Indian Chemical Council - Gujarat Chapter situated at: 30 Nutan Bharat Society, 103 LA-CITADEL Complex, Alkapuri, Vadodara - 3900 007 was inaugurated on 11th November 2009 by Mr. Sujit Gulati, IAS, Industries Commissioner, Government of Gujarat. The inaugural ceremony was graced by leading members and other dignitaries from the chemical industry of the region.

FOLLOWING PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE BY EXPERTS

DURING THE TWO-DAY EVENT:IMPACT OF R&D ON INDIAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
- CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE STRATEGIES
Dr. K.V. Raghavan, INAE Distinguished Professor, IICT, HYDERABAD

R&D COMMERCIALISATION IN CHEMICAL SECTOR- MAJOR ISSUES
Somenath Ghosh, Chairman & Managing Director, National Research Development Corporation, New Delhi

IMPACT OF R&D ON FERTILIZER SECTOR
B. Nagaraj, General Manager (R&D), RCF Ltd.

INTENSE R&D FOR SELF RELIANCE - HWB'S TALCHER EXPERIENCE
P. R. Mohanty, Associate Director Heavy Water Board, Dept of Atomic Energy

CONVERSION OF ACADEMIC RESEARCH INTO COMMERCIAL PRACTICEG.
D. Yadav, FNA, Director and R.T. Mody Professor of Chemical Technology, ICT Mumbai

R&D IMPACT ON BASIC, SPECIALTY & KNOWLEDGE CHEMICALS SECTORS - INDUSTRY VIEW POINT
Surendra U. Kulkarni, Director-R&D (IMEA), Dow India

GROUP R & T DEVELOPMENT IN PETROCHEMICAL SECTOR:
A RELIANCE PERSPECTIVE Amit Biswas, Senior Vice President, Reliance Technology Group

ROLE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARKS AND TECHNOLOGY
BUSINESS INCUBATORS IN PROMOTING CHEMICAL INDUSTRIESJitendra Kumar, PhD, MBA, Vice President, Life Science Incubator,
ICICI Knowledge Park, Hyderabad

SINE IIT - BOMBAY INCUBATOR
C. Amarnath, Professor of Mechanical Engineering & PINE, Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

IMPACT OF R&D ON INDIAN SPECIALTY POLYMER INDUSTRY
Prakash Trivedi, Managing Directror, Solvay Specialities India Pvt. Ltd.

R&D IMPACT ON INDIAN AGROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY
Arun V. Dhuri, Vice President-Registration & Business Development,
Excel Crop Care Limited.

CWC AWARENESS PROGRAM AT CHANDIGARH

Indian Chemical Council organized an awareness programme on Chemical Weapons Convention on19th December 2009 at Hotel KLG International Chandigarh in association with the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals And Fertilizers and the National Authority, Chemical Weapons Convention. The programme was well attended by members of the industry and representatives of State and Central Government.

Mr. Prakash Wagle, Co-Chairman, SH&E-NRO delivered the Welcome address.

Mr. Jasbir Singh, Industrial Advisor, and Mr. P. P. Srivastava, Dy. Industrial Adviser, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Govt. of India made a detailed presentation on compliance to the obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. Mr. P.S. Singh, Dy. Secretary, Department Chemicals and Petrochemicals, briefly explained about CWC Act 2000.

Mrs. Vibha Bhalla, Joint DGFT, Office of the Director General Foreign Trade, Governemtn of India made presentation on Strategic Trade Controls in India.

Mr. Masood Akhtar - Manager - EHS, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd proposed vote of thanks.

INDIACHEM GUJARAT - 2009

Indian Chemical Council - Gujarat organized a Seminar "Future of Pigments & Dyes In India" at the maiden INDIACHEM GUJARAT - 2009 held under the auspices of Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, Govt. of India and Govt. of Gujarat at Ahemdabad on 14th December - 2009.

Mr. B. P. Pandey, IAS - Joint Secretary, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, Govt. of India was the Chief Guest at the function. Mr. Pandey inaugurated the seminar by lighting the traditional lamp.
Expert speakers on the occasion were Dr. Govind Patkar, Ex Head - Pigments & Additives Division, Dr. U. Nabar, Vice President - Technology & Innovation, Clariant Chemicals India Ltd; Prof. V. R. Kanetkar, Emeritus Fellow ICT-Mumbai; Dr. Walther Hofherr - Acting Executive Director - ETAD, Basel- Switzerland; Mr. J. K. Vyas, Environment Engineer - GPCB, Govt. of Gujarat made detailed presentations.

After the opening remarks by Mr. R.K. Bhatia of FICCI, Mr. Ravi Kapoor, Chairman-ICC Gujarat Chapter welcomed the speakers and a houseful gathering of delegates at the event.

He also chaired the session through the program.Dr. Patkar made a presentation on 'Strategies for Indian Pigment industry In Current Scenario'.

  • The quantity of effect pigments is very low and the industry should pay more attention to enhance the volume.
  • Pthalo is the strength of the industry and we should further strengthen
  • More emphasis on Azo pigments and its quality, as we lag behind China.

ACTIVITY REPORT

  • Organic pigment Pthalo Blue is dominated by SMEs
  • Challenges for pigment industry due to escalation in cost because of stringent regulations.

Dr. Walther Hofherr spoke on 'Product Safety' in Dyes and impact on manufacturers due to upcoming legislations and REACH regulations.
He emphasized upon evaluation on the hazard of product and how to protect the population and the environment. He quoted a classic example of the pigment / dyes impact on toys and food contact applications. Dr.Walther informed that conducting Risk management, the chemical assessment and management programs for the industry are the need of the hour.
Dr. U. T. Nabar in his presentation highlighted the variation of process parameters depending upon the product application and requirement. He was critical about the need of offering, value added and cost effective solutions to the customer. He said that effective R&D would result in developing new molecules with better properties and improvement of properties in existing pigments, while striking product safety and ecological concerns. He was of the view that India and China would be the drivers of growth in emerging market.

Professor V.R.Kanetkar was of opinion through his presentation on Current Indian Dyes scenario and future strategies for growth. He also reiterated that although China is tough competitor in the segment but Indian chemical industry should strive for performance to face the challenge. He said that acquisitions and mergers are the key for growth of industry and a fitting reply to mitigate the influence of global meltdown. He also made a point about lack of adequate finances to adopt pollution control measures and strive towards GREEN technology.

Mr. J.K. Vyas in his deliberation informed that there are 700 dye industries in Gujarat, out of which 90% are under the category of small scale. He was of the view that new methods for treating non-bio-degradable liquid effluents. One of the examples he quoted was Catalytic Hydrogenation for the liquid effluent generated in H-acid industry to reduce the iron sludge. He also informed that agencies like NCL have been asked to conduct studies for devising effluent treatment methods for various pollutants but there has not been any progress on the matter, so far!

In the presentation about ETAD Dr. Walther Hofherr spelled out the objectives, Code of ethics and Benefits to the member organizations. He also informed that 143000 substances have been covered under REACH by 65000 companies. He stated that of chemicals should be inventorised, based on their classification and end use application.

ICC - Gujarat had also put-up a stall at exhibition 'IndiaChem Gujarat' to spread the awareness about Chemical Weapons Convention, Responsible Care and The Ecological & Toxicological Association, A Global challengebody at Basel-Switzerland, established with the objectives to assist companies in implementing Responsible Care programs, Strive for minimization of risk to health and environment in the value chain of organic colorants, Coordinate and support member companies in implementation of regulations and standards and Offer member companies expertise in product stewardship working.

Mr.Ravi Kapoor is on the Global Executive Board & Chairman - Indian Operating Committee of ETAD.