Simon India Limited Signs MoU with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad to Advance Catalyst and Low-Carbon Process Technologies

Simon India Limited (SIL) has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad to develop advanced catalyst and process technologies aimed at enabling the industrial-scale deployment of green and low-carbon solutions.

The collaboration brings together IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s research expertise with Simon India’s engineering, project execution, and industrial deployment capabilities, with a focus on translating laboratory research into scalable and commercially viable outcomes.

As part of the partnership, both entities will jointly work on the development of advanced catalysts and process technologies to enhance efficiency, optimise costs, and support large-scale adoption of sustainable solutions. Key application areas include green hydrogen, green ammonia, circular economy solutions, energy efficiency, sustainable aviation fuel, and biomass-to-value-added chemicals.

The scope of the MoU also extends to waste utilisation, rare earth recovery, development of new fertiliser grades, and chemical derivatives, with a strong emphasis on scalable industrial processes.

The agreement establishes a framework for joint research and development programmes, pilot and demonstration projects, and collaborative grant initiatives, including cross-country proposals. It will also support capacity building through faculty–industry exchange, internships, industrial training, and mentorship programmes to strengthen industry-ready talent.

Additionally, the partnership will facilitate technology transfer, commercialisation pathways, and intellectual property development aligned with industrial priorities and global competitiveness. Both organisations will adopt a coordinated approach to move innovations from laboratory validation to engineering design and pilot-scale deployment.

Commenting on the development, Athar Shahab said India has a strong research foundation but needs to accelerate the translation of innovation into scalable industrial applications. He noted that the collaboration aims to bridge academic and engineering capabilities across sustainable and emerging sectors.

Aashutosh Aggarwal stated that the partnership will focus on catalyst development and process innovation, which are critical to advancing sustainable industrial solutions, while leveraging the company’s strengths in engineering and industrial-scale deployment.

Highlighting the importance of early-stage innovation, Sukumar Mishra emphasised the role of undergraduate students in driving innovation, noting that exposure to real-world industry challenges is essential for building meaningful technological capabilities.

Fawzia Tarannum underscored the need to move beyond academic publications, stating that research must evolve into practical products and processes through integrated industry-academia collaboration.

The initiative reflects a broader push to strengthen industry-academia partnerships in India, aimed at accelerating the development and commercialisation of sustainable, process-driven technologies.