Page 179 - CW E-Magazine (18-3-2025)

Special Report

Sustainability and effi ciency in speciality chemicals

for emerging industries

n the rapidly evolving landscape of speciality chemicals. From photovoltaic RAGHUNATH KELKAR
the global chemical industry, spe- materials to corrosion-resistant coat-
Iciality chemicals have emerged as ings for wind turbines, these chemicals President – Industrial Chemicals
the unsung heroes, driving innovation are essential for the renewable energy ANUPAM ROY CHOWDHURY
and progress. As we stand on the cusp sector. SRF Ltd., for another, is inno- General Manager – Industrial
of a new industrial revolution, these vating in fl uoropolymers used in solar Chemicals
tailored chemical solutions are playing panels back sheets that enhance the effi - Deepak Fertilisers & Petro-
an increasingly critical role in shaping ciency and life of solar panels. Deepak chemicals Ltd.
the future of emerging sectors. From Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Cor- speciality chemicals play a crucial role.
the upcoming integrated pharma manu- poration Ltd. (DFPCL) has introduced Ultra-pure chemicals and advanced
facturing hub at Hyderabad touted to be a speciality grade of nitric acid which materials are essential for chip manu-
the world’s largest so far, to the sprawl- enhances the profi le of the photovoltaic facturing. The ‘India Semiconductor
ing solar farms of Gujarat, speciality cells (PV) cells helping them to trap Mission’ is set to drive demand for
chemicals are the invisible force pro- more solar energy thereby enhancing specialised chemicals. DFPCL aligns
pelling India’s industrial growth into their effi ciency. with this vision, developing ultra-pure
the 21st century. chemicals and a sound logistic system
India’s fl ourishing biotech industry for precise delivery.
The role of speciality chemicals in is also leveraging speciality chemicals
emerging industries for everything from drug development Lastly, precision farming tech-
Representing a sophisticated seg- to agricultural innovations. Enzymes, niques rely on speciality chemicals
ment of the chemical industry, charac- reagents, and biocompatible materials for crop protection, nutrient delivery,
terised by their highly specialised and are driving breakthroughs in this fi eld. and soil health management. Com-
targeted applications across diverse Praj Industries, based in Pune, has pio- panies like UPL Ltd. are developing
sectors, the advanced formulations of neered bio-based chemicals and mate- innovative agrochemical solutions
speciality chemicals are engineered to rials, supporting the growth of India’s tailored to India’s diverse agricultural
deliver precise performance characteri- bio-economy, while Piramal Pharma landscape.
stics, addressing complex technologi- Solutions utilises custom synthesis to
cal and environmental challenges. In support biotech advancements. The Indian speciality chemicals
India, these chemicals are becoming sector, valued at approximately $36-bn
the backbone of several burgeoning As India aims to become a global in 2021, is projected to grow at a
sectors. hub for semiconductor production, CAGR of around 11% to reach $61-bn

As India races to electrify its auto-
motive sector, speciality chemicals are
at the forefront of this revolution. Ad-
vanced battery materials, lightweight
composites, and high-performance
adhesives are enabling the production
of more effi cient and durable electric
vehicles (EVs). Tata Chemicals, for
example, has made signifi cant invest-
ments in Li-ion battery technology,
positioning itself as a key player in
EV supply chain.

The country’s ambitious solar and
wind energy targets rely heavily on

Chemical Weekly March 18, 2025 179

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