Page 151 - CW E-Magazine (12-11-2024)

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STRENGTHENING TIES

India and Germany keen on boosting R&D in advanced

materials

The Indian and German govern-
ments are seeking to expand coopera-
tion in science and technology, with
the signing of an agreement to boost
research in advanced materials. Union
Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and German
Federal Minister Ms. Bettina Stark-
Watzinger recently exchanged a joint
declaration of intent for cooperation
in R&D on advanced materials with
commitment to seek mutual dividends.

During the meeting, Dr. Singh ex-
pressed gratitude to Ms. Stark-Watz-
inger for her consistent support in
strengthening the Indo-German part-
nership. He highlighted recent colla-
borative successes, such as the launch
of 2+2 joint projects in areas like ‘Waste photoluminescence in supramolecular India’s Anusandhan National Research
to Wealth’ and sustainable packaging, matrices. Foundation (ANRF) and the National
as well as a new call for proposals in Quantum Mission, both aimed at scaling
AI for sustainability. Additionally, Dr. Singh reaffirmed up R&D across priority areas including
India’s commitment to long-term inter- electric mobility, sustainable agriculture,
He also lauded the Indo-German national projects such as the Facility for and advanced materials.
Science and Technology Centre (IG- Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) in
STC) for its instrumental role in pro- Darmstadt, where Indian scientists play The two Ministers also discussed
moting joint research. Discussions in- a key role in advanced materials and potential collaboration in hydrogen en-
cluded the recent establishment of the particle physics research. ergy and affirmed their commitment to
International Research Training Group aligning innovation and research efforts
(IRTG) between IISER Trivandrum The bilateral discussions also high- across areas such as biotechnology, envi-
and Würzburg University, focusing on lighted national initiatives such as ronmental technology, and healthcare.
TRADE MEASURES

India imposes anti-dumping duty on Chinese IPA,

Sulphur Black and TPUs

India has imposed anti-dumping duty dient for making antiseptic for skin and posed. Sulphur Black is used for dyeing
on imports of isopropyl alcohol (IPA), instrumentation, and hand sanitisers, textile, paper and leather.
Sulphur Black and Thermoplastic Poly- ranges from $82-217 per tonne on different
urethanes (TPUs) from China for a period Chinese firms. Similarly, import of TPUs, which
of five years. have applications in automotive, medical
On imports of sulphur black, whose and electronics industries, will now
The duties on IPA, which has pharma total imports in 2023-24 was $4.3-mn, a attract anti-dumping duty in the range
and industrial uses, besides use as ingre- duty of up to $389 per tonne has been im- of $930-1,580 per tonne.

Chemical Weekly November 5, 2024 151

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