Union Minister unveils four advanced R&D facilities at CSIR-IICT
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Tuesday inaugurated four state-of-the-art research facilities and laid the foundation stone for a 200-student
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Tuesday inaugurated four state-of-the-art research facilities and laid the foundation stone for a 200-student hostel complex at the CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) in Hyderabad. The new facilities include an advanced R&D centre for fluorochemicals, a decentralised Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) for textile wastewater, Continuous Processing Technologies (CPT), and a Sustainable Engineering Complex (SEC). CSIR-IICT director D. Srinivasa Reddy said these initiatives would strengthen advanced scientific research while enabling pilot-scale validation, industrial collaboration, start-up incubation, and technology commercialisation.
The fluorochemicals facility aims to boost India’s capabilities in developing next-generation compounds used in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, refrigerants, electronics, and specialty materials. It is expected to support indigenous process development, reduce dependence on imports, and promote environmentally sustainable technologies. The decentralised ETP demonstrates an innovative wastewater treatment model tailored for textile clusters and handloom communities. Developed by in-house scientists with support from the Department of Science and Technology, it is expected to benefit around 6,700 residents of Siripuram (Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district) by improving sanitation and public health through a low-cost, nature-based solution with minimal maintenance needs.
The CPT facility provides an advanced platform for continuous-flow manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and specialty chemicals. It enables safer reactions, improved product quality, and faster scaling from laboratory research to commercial production, while reducing waste and energy use, he said. The SEC offers integrated pilot-scale infrastructure for process engineering, equipment validation, and technology demonstration, helping bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial deployment, added Mr. Reddy. Addressing scientists, Dr. Singh urged them to pursue high-impact, interdisciplinary research aligned with national priorities.
He emphasised that science-driven growth, technological self-reliance, and sustainability are key to achieving a developed India. He also lauded CSIR-IICT’s contributions to innovation and industrial technology, highlighting its focus on start-ups, intellectual property generation, and industry partnerships. Scientists from various CSIR laboratories and other institutions attended the programme, according to an official release.
The BriefWire