Thiruvananthapuram, June 27 (UNI) India ranks as the sixth-largest chemical producer globally, with the sector contributing 7pc to the national GDP.

Highlighting the global relevance of organic and materials chemistry, Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director of CSIR-NIIST, emphasised the need for climate-smart, low-carbon chemistries and the integration of technologies like AI and automation to accelerate innovation in the sector.

He said this while inaugurating the National Conference on Advances in Organic and Materials Chemistry (AOMC-2025), organised by the institute’s Chemical Sciences and Technology Division (CSTD), which is part of the Golden Jubilee Conclave Series commemorating 50 years of scientific excellence.

The two-day conference aims to bring together leading scientists, industry experts, academicians, and young researchers to discuss recent advancements and emerging trends in the fields of organic and materials chemistry.

Reflecting on the evolution of India’s research ecosystem, Prof. T. K. Chakraborty, Professor at IISc Bangalore and former Director of CSIR-CDRI, encouraged the younger generation to leverage the tools and infrastructure available today.

Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana, Director, RGCB, called for broader inclusivity in research employment, while Prof. Jiju P. Alex, Member, Kerala State Planning Board, spoke on Kerala’s strategic plans to transform Thiruvananthapuram into a knowledge-driven research hub.

A special felicitation was conferred upon Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana for his outstanding contributions to science.

UNI DS ARN