PACE Program Boosts Industry-Academia Collaboration in India

The PACE program by Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) fosters collaborative research between Indian industries and R&D organizations, academic institutions, or universities. It emphasizes innovative work and supports the development of new technologies focused on the commercialization of products and processes addressing unmet industrial needs. Proposals targeting specific industrial sectors with practical applications are encouraged in this program. Projects demonstrating proof-of-concept with an aim to address significant unmet industrial needs are supported under this program. The program supports projects with a duration of 1 to 3 years.

Under the PACE program, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) has signed two separate Tripartite Agreements with M/s. Devashish Polymers Private Ltd. (DPPL), Mumbai and M/s. GPS Renewables Pvt Ltd., Bangalore & Agarkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune on 20-11-2024.

M/s. Devashish Polymers Private Ltd. (DPPL), Mumbai, aims to develop compounded elastomers and evaluate their performance for diverse applications under this project. Whereas, M/s. GPS Renewables Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, in collaboration with Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, seeks to scale up and conduct pilot trials for enhanced microbial methane production from agricultural residues using anaerobic fungi.

Agreement signing ceremony was graced by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR & Director General, CSIR, in presence of Dr. Vipin Chandra Shukla, Scientist-G, & Head PACE, Commodore (Retd.)  Amit Rastogi, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), Dr. Prashant Dhakephalkar, Director, Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, Sh. Aditya Mody, Director & CFO, M/s. Devashish Polymers Private Ltd. (DPPL), Mumbai, Sh. Ravi Gomatam, CTO, M/s. GPS Renewables Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, Dr. M.S. Shashi Kumar, Scientist-E, DSIR, Dr. Suman Mazumdar, Scientist-E, DSIR along with other team members from NRDC and DSIR.

Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR & Director General, CSIR in her opening remarks emphasized that PACE program represents a cornerstone of DSIR's commitment to fostering innovation and collaborative research in India. Through this initiative, we aim to catalyze the development of new products, processes, and solutions that are not only technologically sound but also have a clear path leading to commercialization. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi congratulated both M/s. Devashish Polymers Private Ltd. (DPPL), Mumbai and M/s. GPS Renewables Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore along with Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, for undertaking the project which is poised to address pressing national challenges and contribute significantly to India's development goals. Dr. Kalaiselvi also underlined the critical role such projects play in fostering industry-academia partnerships to create sustainable solutions and drive the nation’s progress in science, technology, and societal impact.

Dr. Vipin Chandra Shukla, Scientist-G, & Head PACE mentioned that DSIR remains committed to nurturing ideas that transform into impactful solutions, and the PACE program is a testament to this mission. Together, we can drive sustainable industrial growth and technological self-reliance for India.

Sh. Aditya Mody, Director & CFO, M/s. Devashish Polymers Private Ltd. (DPPL), Mumbai and Sh. Ravi Gomatam, CTO, M/s. GPS Renewables Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore collectively lauded the PACE program of the DSIR and termed it as a game-changer program for the industry, fostering collaboration with academia and R&D institutions to drive innovation and develop solutions for real-world challenges. They commended the DSIR initiative which not only accelerates innovation but also strengthens India's technological and economic landscape.

Dr. M.S.Shashi Kumar, Scientist-E and Member Secretary, PACE program, concluded the ceremony by proposing a vote of thanks  to Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR & Director General, CSIR and to all the other attendees for this ceremony.

MoU with M/s. Devashish Polymers Private Ltd. (DPPL), Mumbai

MoU with M/s. GPS Renewables Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, and Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune