Page 136 - CW E-Magazine (19-8-2025)
P. 136
Top Stories
NATIONAL CHEMISTRY DAY SUMMIT
Chemical industry experts call for increased investments in R&D,
innovation, and long-term strategic planning
The critical role of the chemical
industry in driving India’s economic
growth was emphasised by leading fi g-
ures from the industry and acadmeia
who converged at the Godrej Indus-
tries Group’s Mumbai headquarters for
‘National Chemistry Day Summit’ hosted
by the GIG fi rms – Godrej Industries
(Chemicals) and Astec LifeSciences.
The ‘National Chemistry Day’ in
India is celebrated on August 2nd, to
honour the birth anniversary of Acharya
Prafulla Chandra Ray, resigned as the
“Father of Indian Chemistry”.
In his inaugural address delivered in
the style of a poem, Mr. Nadir Godrej,
Chairman of the Godrej Group,
expressed hope that the growth of the
chemical industry in India would con-
tinue to endure. He noted that investing
in R&D would help realise good
profi ts, with artifi cial intelligence (AI)
set to play a transformational role.
He underscored the industry’s im-
pact on everyday life, from medical contribution to GDP and ranking as the tors. “Till this happens, innovation will
advancements to consumer products, sixth largest chemical industry globally. not be a central strategy for chemical
and the potential for signifi cant growth “India will become strong economi- companies,” he noted and urged the
through new molecules and techno- cally only if it becomes strong in the industry to work on developing at least
logies. chemical sector,” he said, but lamented one novel chemical process in the near
the fact that the country has not invested future.
“Chemistry has always played a heavily in R&D and innovation.
foundational role in shaping society. Mr. Naushad Forbes, Co-Chairperson
As we convene the second edition of In his address, Padma Vibhushan of Forbes Marshall, also underlined the
National Chemistry Day, it is clear that Prof. M. M. Sharma listed several inno- need for companies to invest in R&D.
meaningful, future-facing conversa- vations from the chemical industry “Industry must invest in research so
tions are vital for unlocking India’s that have made all-inclusive growth that it becomes a fertile ground to be
full potential in this space,” he said. possible. He, however, highlighted able to absorb fundamental research
the lack of focus and investment on being conducted in academia,” he
Mr. Vishal Sharma, Executive research & development in the Indian observed.
Director & CEO, Godrej Industries chemical sector noting that companies
(Chemicals) emphasised the critical don’t appoint a Chief Innovation Offi - The summit also featured two panel
role of the chemical industry in India’s cer nor does private companies have a discussions - one with Mr. Vishal Sharma,
economic growth, highlighting its 7% R&D Director on their Board of Direc- ED and CEO of Godrej Chemicals,
136 Chemical Weekly August 19, 2025
Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised
