83rd Year | 2021-22 | Integrated Annual Report
Innovation is key to value creation and a market leading position. It facilitates us in developing Green Chemistry solutions to build a competitive edge around the differentiator of sustainability. We do this by leveraging our scientific knowledge with the help of a team of scientists and collaborations with world-class academic and other institutions across the globe.
We have a robust R&D set-up with three state-of-the-art R&D Centres - 1 at Pune and 2 in Bengaluru India. We are also continually strengthening our R&D commitment through increased industry-academia collaboration to access cutting-edge research and undertake collaborative R&D.
Cumulative patents filed
Publications in peer- reviewed journals
Our R&D collaborations Reputed R&D Labs in India and International; and collaborations & co-creation with Customers.
TCL Innovation Centre (IC) – Pune
We are building strong patent portfolios in Silica, Silanes and allied Performance Materials. We have successfully been granted patents for Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS) process and product in India, the US and European geographies. Continuous application support is being provided for patented nano zinc oxide which imparts anti-microbial and UV-blocking properties in consumer products.
Sustainability remains a key focus of our innovation. We have currently initiated work on new sustainable chemistries in Bio-based surfactants, conversion of CO2 to value-added materials and applications in Bicarbonate and Soda Ash.
We are using our expertise in fermentation technology to strengthen our nutrition portfolio. We have developed an Inulin manufacturing technology (long chain oligosaccharides) to enhance prebiotic portfolio for newer applications and customer base. We have completed human clinical trials to test the efficacy and synergistically acting synbiotics for immunity markers. For animal nutrition, a formulation has been developed that increases milk yield for which overall performance trials are under validation.
Rallis Innovation & Chemistry Hub (RICH)
Continuing with our approach of sustained new product development in agrochemicals, we have built on our crop protection and crop nutrition formulations portfolio around innovative and potential molecules. In FY 2021-22, we have launched several products including:
Bringing technology to farms
We continue to further our journey in precision agriculture. Rigorous research activities are in progress for using drones to spray crop protection formulations and crop nutrition products on various crops, focussed on driving uniformity and efficiency in application. This would also help in reducing manpower requirement, application time and usage of water and chemicals.
TCL Innovation Centre has developed Inulin manufacturing technology from both dried and wet chicory as against traditional fresh chicory usage. This breakthrough of raw material flexibility will help to overcome the challenge of unavailability of fresh chicory in non-seasonal months and thus enable our manufacturing plants to achieve uninterrupted production. Further, its nanofiltration technology ensures quality and purity consistency irrespective of raw material source.
It has developed Zaafu (Hexaconzole 0.5%GR), the first-ever granular fungicide with advanced technology which effectively manages sheath blight in transplanted rice.
TCL Innovation Centre
RICH