Key Highlights
Three-day conference held from 9–11 September brought together 500+ participants from industry, academia and the student community. Around 80 oral and poster presentations provided a platform for emerging research and innovations in sustainable chemical engineering. Mr. Nadir Godrej graced the inaugural; Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra Shri Jishnu Dev Varma attended the felicitation programme; Dr. Anil Kakodkar graced the valedictory session. Inaugural sessions featured thought-provoking perspectives on sustainability, circular economy, energy conservation, agro-waste utilisation, green chemistry and pathways towards a carbon-negative future.
Honouring Excellence, Advancing Sustainability
SusChemE 3.0, a three-day conference held from 9–11 September 2026 at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, concluded with a strong emphasis on sustainability, scientific research and industry-academia collaboration. The conference brought together over 500 participants from industry, academia and the student community.
Held in honour of Prof. M. Lakshmi Kantam, Dr. B. P. Godrej Distinguished Professor of Green Chemistry and Sustainability Engineering, ICT Mumbai and Former Director, CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad, the conference recognised her distinguished scientific journey and contributions to green chemistry and sustainable chemical engineering.
The inaugural programme was graced by Mr. Nadir Godrej, Chairman Emeritus, Godrej Industries Ltd., as the Chief Guest. The session brought together eminent scientific and academic leaders including Prof. M. M. Sharma, Emeritus Professor of Eminence and Former Director, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and Padma Vibhushan Awardee; Prof. Aniruddha B. Pandit, Vice Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai; Prof. G. D. Yadav, Chairperson, SusChemE 3.0, President, Indian Chemical Society, Bhatnagar Fellow (CSIR), Former National Science Chair (GoI), Emeritus Professor of Eminence, Former Vice Chancellor, ICT and Padma Shri Awardee; Prof. M. Lakshmi Kantam, Dr. B. P. Godrej Distinguished Professor of Green Chemistry and Sustainability Engineering, ICT Mumbai and Former Director, CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad; and Prof. (Dr.) Virendra Kisan Rathod, Convenor, SusChemE 3.0 and Professor, Institute of Chemical Technology.
The inaugural session featured a series of thought-provoking addresses examining sustainability not only as a future imperative but also through the lens of ideas, technologies and innovations developed in earlier times. The speakers reflected on inventions and approaches that may have been overlooked or forgotten over the years, and discussed how some of these ideas could potentially be revisited, adapted and applied to address contemporary challenges facing industry and society.
Mr. Nadir Godrej delivered a distinctive and memorable address in his now well-known poetic style, bringing together the worlds of literature and chemistry in an unusual yet engaging manner. Through his creative rendition, he highlighted the importance of sustainability and innovation.
Prof. M. M. Sharma, drawing on his long and distinguished association with the chemical engineering and industrial ecosystem, offered an expansive perspective on several areas of relevance to the chemical industry. He spoke about renewable resources and practices that were used in earlier times but have gradually been forgotten, suggesting the need to revisit such approaches in the context of today’s sustainability requirements. He also touched upon the evolution of the polymer industry, including its early association with cellulose, and discussed the potential of converting agricultural waste, including rice straw, into useful chemicals and materials. He further highlighted the fact that the chemical industry is highly energy-intensive and emphasised the importance and ways to conserve energy and improve resource efficiency. His address also covered areas such as nanofiltration and biotransformation, among several other subjects relevant to the future of sustainable chemical engineering. Underscoring his commitment to sustainability, Prof. Sharma also wore a jacket made from recycled PET, providing a visible example of the possibilities of material reuse and circularity.
Padma Shri Prof. G. D. Yadav delivered a compelling preliminary lecture titled “From Global Energy Crisis to Carbon Negative Future: Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Transition Pathways.” His lecture explored a wide range of issues central to the global sustainability discourse, including net zero, net negative pathways, sustainability, the 5R principle, circular economy, hydrogen, green and blue economy, sustainable transition pathways and much more. Prof. Yadav also spoke about the different dimensions and classifications of hydrogen, including what he referred to as the “seven colours of colourless hydrogen,” and examined the potential of technology and innovation in shaping a sustainable energy future. He highlighted the need for efficient utilisation of agricultural waste and the alternatives to the burning of agro-residues. His address connected technological innovation with resource efficiency and the broader transition towards sustainable and circular industrial systems.
The inaugural session also featured insightful addresses by Prof. Aniruddha B. Pandit and Prof. M. Lakshmi Kantam, who added to the discussion and the role of academia in addressing emerging industrial and societal challenges.
Together, the inaugural addresses set the tone for SusChemE 3.0 by bringing together perspectives from industry, academia and scientific research, while encouraging participants to look both backwards at valuable ideas that can be revisited and forwards towards new technologies and pathways for sustainable development.
Scientists Honoured
A major highlight of SusChemE 3.0 was the special Felicitation Programme held in honour of Prof. M. Lakshmi Kantam. The programme was graced by the Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, and celebrated Prof. Kantam’s remarkable scientific journey and contributions to research, green chemistry, sustainable technologies and institution building.
The occasion also honoured Prof. M. M. Sharma, Emeritus Professor of Eminence and Former Director, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, and Padma Vibhushan Awardee, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to chemical engineering, academia and the scientific community.
On the occasion, a select group of distinguished women scientists and entrepreneurs were also recognised for their contributions to science, research and industry — Dr. Manorama V. Sunkara, DAE-Raja Ramanna Chair and Former Chief Scientist, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology; Dr. Shubhangi B. Umbarkar, Chief Scientist, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune; Dr. B. Satyavathi, DAE Raja Ramanna Chair, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad; Prof. Vibha Tandon, Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB); Dr. Sangeeta Srivastava, Executive Director, Godavari Biorefineries Ltd.; Ms. Vinati Saraf, Managing Director & CEO, Vinati Organics Limited; Dr. Shobha Shukla, Professor, IIT Bombay; and Dr. Tharamani C. Nagaiah, Professor, IIT Ropar.
Research, Knowledge Exchange and Industry-Academia Dialogue
Over the three days, SusChemE 3.0 featured technical sessions and interactions bringing together industry and academia to deliberate on sustainability, resource efficiency, innovation and emerging developments shaping the future of chemical engineering.
The conference also provided a platform for research and knowledge exchange, with around 80 oral and poster presentations showcasing emerging ideas and innovations. Students and young researchers participated from institutions across the country, including from Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, reflecting the national reach of the conference.
The discussions throughout the conference reinforced the importance of connecting fundamental research with industrial applications and of encouraging collaboration between researchers, students and industry professionals to address complex sustainability challenges.
Awards Presented
SusChemE 3.0 concluded with the Valedictory Session, graced by eminent nuclear scientist Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Rajiv Gandhi Science & Technology Commission, Former Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, and Padma Vibhushan Awardee, as the Guest of Honour.
The session marked the culmination of three days of deliberations, research presentations and knowledge exchange, and also saw the presentation of awards for outstanding oral and poster presentations.
The Poster Presentation Awards were presented to Akhil V. Nakhate of Bajaj College of Science, Wardha; Vijay Garule of IIT Ropar; and Gopal More of ICT Mumbai & NCL.
The Oral Presentation Awards were presented to Theertha K. Nair of ICT Mumbai; Dilkhush Zaroliwalla of ICT Mumbai; and Srivatsan B. of Chitkara University, Rajpura.
Organised by the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, with the support of the Indian Chemical Society and MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications as the Event Curator, SusChemE 3.0 brought together stakeholders from across the scientific, academic and industry ecosystem.
SusChemE 3.0 concluded by celebrating the distinguished scientific contributions of Prof. M. Lakshmi Kantam while reinforcing the importance of collaboration, research and innovation in advancing sustainable chemical engineering.
