Indian Chemical Council Celebrates Industry Excellence

59th Annual ICC Awards Presentation
15th Annual Seminar on ‘Recognizing Excellence of Performance in Various Facets of the Chemical Industry’

Lauding the efforts and dedication of the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) and recognizing to excellence in the Indian chemical industry, Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary of the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, also emphasized the need for further investments, research, and technological development. She was speaking at the ICC’s 59^th Annual Awards Presentation at the Trident Hotel in Mumbai. The annual event recognizes outstanding contributions across various sectors of the chemical industry. The event also featured the 15th Annual Seminar focused on “Recognizing Excellence of Performance in Various Facets of the Chemical Industry.”

Dimitri De Vreeze, CEO of dsm-firmenich, in his address reiterated the importance of sustainability in the global chemical industry. He said, “Sustainability is integral and vital to the industry, driving energy reduction, water conservation, and use of renewable resources. We are proud to receive recognition from Gujarat’s Pollution Control Board for our commitment to safe chemical management and environmental health. The only way forward is the path of sustainability. We want to help drive continuous improvement in safe chemicals management and achieve excellence in environmental health and security.”

In her welcome address, Ramya Bharathram, Vice President of ICC and Managing Director & CFO of Thirumalai Chemicals Ltd. highlighted ICC’s achievements over the past year and noting the growth in programs and initiatives that have provided valuable resources and opportunities for members.

Over 500 industry leaders, academic experts, innovators, and policymakers gathered to celebrate the achievements of companies and individuals who have significantly advanced India’s chemical landscape.

Key Awards and Recognitions

Among the highlights was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Deepak C. Mehta, CMD of Deepak Group, for his exemplary contributions to the chemical industry. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Mehta emphasized the importance of ethical and responsible chemistry that aligns with economics and sustainability.

Additionally, U. Shekhar, Promoter and Non-Executive Director of Galaxy Surfactants Ltd., received the ICC D. M. Trivedi Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to industry management, while Prof. Dr. V. V. Mahajani, Retired Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) (earlier UDCT) was honoured for his significant work in education and research.

Leadership Transition and Industry Insights

The event also marked the leadership transition within the ICC, as Rajen Mariwala handed over the presidency to R. Kartik Bharat Ram, Joint Managing Director of SRF Ltd. In his acceptance speech, Bharat Ram outlined his vision for the chemical industry, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and positioning India as a global manufacturing hub.

The seminar included a captivating fireside chat between Padma Vibhushan Dr. R. A. Mashelkar and Professor Aniruddha B. Pandit, Guest of Honor, Vice Chancellor of Institute Chemical Technology (ICT), where they explored the future direction of the chemical industry, stressing the importance of adaptation and growth amidst global challenges. During the discussion, Dr. Mashelkar highlighted the transformative role of AI in developing new materials, stating, “Future new materials will be generated by AI; as AI itself will become a scientist. Recently, AI wrote a scientific research paper and it was published. AI reduces time and cost can be brought down by as much as 40%. Misuse of any technology is possible; therefore, AI also should be used with safeguards. So, it’s not Man vs. Machine, but it’s like a co-pilot to be used effectively.”

Padma Bhushan Professor J. B. Joshi also delivered a plenary session titled, “Why Envy China – Let’s Introspect,” encouraging reflective dialogue on India’s potential in the chemical sector. He pointed out that “India is importing crores worth of chemicals and the challenge is how to counter the situation. Chinese products are 10% to 15% less in cost”.

Promoting Excellence in the Chemical Industry

The ICC Awards honoured exceptional achievements across various facets of the chemical industry in India. This year’s awards were presented in multiple categories, including Excellence in Safety, Health, Management of Environment, Human Resource Management, Energy Conservation and Management, Process Design & Engineering and more. It highlighted the commitment of companies and individuals towards progress and sustainability of the industry. Various dignitaries were invited to give away the awards.

ICC Awards For Excellence in:

Winners of ‘ICC-EPSILON CARBON’ Certificate of Merit for Best Compliant Company for the Codes under Responsible Care:

In his closing remarks, incoming ICC President, R. Kartik Bharat Ram congratulated all award winners for their amazing and innovative work. Expressing deep gratitude to all members for entrusting this great responsibility on him and for this unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the chemical industry. He said,“As I assume this role, my vision for our industry is clear. We must continue to innovate, adopt sustainable practices, and position India as a global manufacturing hub in the chemical sector. The future of our industry will be shaped by key trends: sustainability, technological advancement, innovation, regulatory changes, and global trade dynamics.”