HT Correspondent
JORHAT, Dec 28: In a groundbreaking move, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. (NRL) has committed a staggering Rs 90 crore in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), said an official statement on Thursday.
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As per the statement, the agreement aims to establish the NRL-NEIST R&D Centre at CSIR-NEIST, marking a pivotal moment in petrochemical research.
CSIR-NEIST Director, Dr G. Narahari Sastry, expressed that the MoU signifies a historic collaboration, leveraging CSIR-NEIST’s profound expertise in petrochemical research.
“With multidisciplinary R&D capabilities, the institute aims to provide comprehensive solutions to industry challenges and drive technological advancements for societal development,” he added.
The MoU signing ceremony, attended by key figures including Dr Sastry, Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan (MD, NRL), Nikanja Borthakur (Sr chief general manager, Corporate Affairs, NRL), Bimlesh Gupta (chief general manager, NRL), and Ghanshyam Hazarika (general manager, NRL).
Phukan stressed that CSIR-NEIST, as a national industrial research lab, is ideal for delivering globally relevant R&D solutions.
Dr Swapnali Hazarika, senior principal scientist and group leader of the Chemical Engineering Group at CSIR-NEIST, will lead the NRL-NEIST R&D Centre.
The agreement outlines 11 identified verticals, including separation science, catalysis and reaction engineering, waste to wealth, value addition, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), geotechnical investigation, testing of petroleum products, scaling up of processes, and energy.
This collaboration aims to address R&D challenges faced by downstream petroleum industries in India, fostering innovation and progress in the sector.
