Simon India Limited (SIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSIR–National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML), Jamshedpur, to jointly develop and commercialise technologies for the extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) from industrial waste streams. The partnership aims to combine CSIR-NML’s advanced research capabilities with Simon India’s engineering and project execution expertise, enabling innovative technologies to move from laboratory research to large-scale industrial deployment.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Industry
A key objective of the collaboration is to address a persistent challenge in the innovation ecosystem—the transition of technologies from pilot scale to commercial implementation. Currently, many promising technologies remain at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6, where pilot-scale validation has been achieved but large-scale industrial application is yet to be realised. Through this partnership, Simon India will help translate these innovations into scalable engineering solutions, accelerating the path toward commercialisation. By combining research with industrial execution capabilities, the collaboration aims to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world deployment.
Strategic Importance of Rare Earth Elements
Rare earth elements are critical to several strategic and high-growth industries, including clean energy technologies, electronics and semiconductors, electric mobility and advanced manufacturing. However, global supply chains for rare earth materials remain highly concentrated, creating supply risks for many countries. As a result, developing indigenous extraction and processing technologies has become a national priority for India. Through the initiative, the partners aim to recover rare earth elements from secondary resources and industrial waste, thereby supporting both resource security and circular economy goals.
Leveraging Complementary Strengths
The collaboration brings together complementary expertise from both organisations. CSIR-NML has developed strong scientific capabilities in process innovation, materials research, and technology validation. Meanwhile, Simon India specialises in converting such innovations into practical industrial solutions through engineering and project execution. In particular, Simon India’s capabilities in Basic Design Engineering Package (BDEP) and Detailed Engineering (DEP) will play a key role in scaling up technologies for commercial deployment. The integrated approach will help accelerate the industrialisation of indigenous rare earth recovery technologies.
Focus Areas of the Collaboration
The partnership will focus on multiple areas to ensure effective technology development and scale-up, including Joint research and development (R&D), pilot-scale testing and validation, process optimisation and scale-up and technology transfer and commercialisation. In addition, the MoU provides for a structured governance system through a Joint Steering Committee, which will oversee project progress and strategic direction. The collaboration will also promote industry–academia partnerships, capacity building, and intellectual property development.
Industry Leaders Highlight the Importance of the Partnership
Athar Shahab, Chairman of Simon India Limited, emphasised, “India’s journey towards technological self-reliance will depend on our ability to not just innovate, but to industrialise innovation. This collaboration reflects our commitment to building strong partnerships that can take indigenous technologies from the lab to large-scale deployment, particularly in critical areas such as rare earths and sustainable materials”.
Aashutosh Aggarwal, CEO of Simon India Limited, highlighted, “At Simon India, we see ourselves as an enabler of technology commercialisation. Our engineering capabilities allow us to convert proven research into scalable industrial solutions. This partnership with CSIR-NML strengthens that capability, especially in emerging domains such as rare earth recovery”.
Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury, Director & Head AAC, CSIR-NML, noted that the collaboration will help bring laboratory innovations to industrial application. “CSIR-NML has been working on advanced processes for extraction and recovery of critical materials. Partnering with Simon India enables us to take these technologies beyond the laboratory and pilot stages towards industrial implementation,” he said.
Framework for Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer
The MoU also establishes a clear framework for joint intellectual property development. The agreement outlines defined pathways for ownership, licensing, and commercialisation of technologies developed through the collaboration. The structure aims to support the creation of proprietary, India-owned technology platforms while encouraging industry participation and innovation.
Long-Term Commitment to Sustainable Resource Development
The agreement will remain valid for five years, reflecting a long-term commitment to advancing sustainable industrial processes and resource recovery technologies. By focusing on rare earth extraction from industrial waste, the partnership also supports broader goals related to the circular economy, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability. As per the press release, the collaboration represents a significant step toward strengthening India’s technological capabilities and positioning the country as a global player in the development and commercialisation of advanced materials technologies.
