Tata Chemicals and TERI Open Biochemicals Research Facility

Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) today launched their newly established Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Biochemicals research in New Delhi. The facility was opened by Nitin Desai, Chairman, TERI; R Mukundan, Managing Director & CEO, Tata Chemicals; and Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI.

The Centre will develop and accelerate advanced cost-effective technologies for producing platform and specialty biochemicals from renewable raw materials for both first- and second-generation raw materials.

The Centre will confirm the integrated bioprocesses at demonstration scale and/or pilot scale using bioreactors and pilot-scale recovery systems, and support their scale up to commercial applications.  The research direction will focus initially on 2, 3-Butanediol, which is a high-value chemical that is used in high volume for polymers, pharmaceuticals, paints, food additives, and biofuels.

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Dr Sanjukta Subudhi, Associate Director at TERI, is leading the Centre’s coordination to transform lab-scale innovations into market-ready solutions. Highlighting the industry’s transition, Mr Desai said, “To meet both our economic and climate goals…research and industry can work together to support that transition.”

Calling the Centre strategically important, Mukundan noted, “This Centre is a key step in our efforts to enable future-ready chemical production using biotechnology…a catalyst for innovation, scale, and skilled workforce development.”

Dr Dhawan added, “It’s a complete biomanufacturing ecosystem aimed at bridging the gap between early-stage research and industrial-scale implementation. Through partnerships and infrastructure, we aim to make India a frontrunner in sustainable chemical manufacturing.”

In line with India's Bio-E3 policy, the TCL–TERI Centre will enhance the domestic production of biochemicals, diminish reliance on petrochemicals, and establish India as a leading sustainable chemical producer.