Pune: “Chemistry is going to be changed for the next generation. Sustainability is a buzz word in the technology development and industry,” said Prof Anil Bhowmick, Professor of Eminence and INAE Chair Professor, Rubber Technology Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur who delivered the National Science Day Lecture on ‘Sustainable Materials in the Polymer Industry: Science and Technology’ at CSIR National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL).
“Highlighting various technologies and processes in the adaptation of sustainable materials. It is expected to replace 30 per cent of the petroleum by biofuels by 2025 emphasising on the other alternatives. There is huge interest in this field from aviation and other industries,” he said.
CSIR-NCL celebrated the Science Day with several activities in the week such as poster presentation programme by research students, various award lectures by scientists and students. About 140 research posters were presented.
Prof Bhowmick initiated the talk explaining the definition of the sustainability. The sustainable materials are that materials which can be produced without depletion of non-renewable resources and without disturbing the environment. He also showed how science can be translated into technologies.
Prof Bhowmick focused on rubber technologies and sustainable rubbers. He said natural rubber resources are depleting and there is need to look for the alternatives. It is absolutely impossible to mimic the natural rubber 100 per cent and it is hard to replace it saying that tyre industry will face a shortage of natural rubber in future.
He explained the processes for sustainable polymers produced from the vegetable oils and polysaccharides, UV responsive bio-phased polymer from sustainable resources. He also talked about the classification of rubber wastes.
Concluding his talk, he said, “Continuous scientific research and technological innovation require public support and commitment to research and education.”
Prof Ashwini Kumar Nangia, Director, CSIR-NCL welcomed the guests and the programme concluded with the presentation of National Science Day awards and poster presentation awards.
