Government of India has been pushing for ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) in every sector of the economy. The annual outlay of foreign exchange towards industrial and commercial products dwarfs the earnings from exports. Innovation and self-sufficiency have a positive correlation. Even if a new product or novel method of production is devised, commercialization is a key factor in evaluating its viability. Of late, Indians have realised the significance of innovation and progress is being made in all spheres.
Twelve companies have been selected for the prestigious National Technology Awards 2020 for commercialization of innovative indigenous technologies. They have been selected under three categories –indigenous technologies, MSME, and start-ups. Every year, for continuance of its mandate, Technology Development Board (TDB), a statutory body of Government of India functioning under Department of Science of Technology, seeks applications for prestigious National awards for commercialization of technologies under these three categories.
These awards are a recognition to Indian industries and their technology provider, who have worked as a team, to bring innovation to the market and contributed to the vision of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat”. The winners were selected from a total 128 applications after thorough examination by eminent technologists and a stringent two-tier evaluation process.
TDB, established in 1996, provides financial assistance to companies working for commercialization of indigenous technologies and adaptation of imported technologies for domestic applications. Since its inception, TDB has funded more than 300 companies for commercialization of technologies. The notable amongst the companies supported by TDB over the years are Bharat Biotech International Limited, Shantha Biotechnics, Biocon India Limited, Reva Electric Car Company, Tata Motors (for Indica), Zen Technologies, VEM Technologies, Su-Kam Power System Limited, Sahajanand Laser Technology Limited, and many more.
National Award for Indigenous Technology
Under the first category, L&T Special Steels and Heavy Forgings Private Limited, and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (technology partner) have successfully developed techniques of heavy and complex nuclear forgings. The other winners for the ₹25 lakh award are Vinati Organics Limited and Indian Institute of Chemical Technology Hyderabad. They have jointly developed p-tert Butyl Toluene-PTBT which is used to produce methyl ester. Some of the commercial uses of this innovation are production of detergents and biodiesel. It has helped in cutting imports from China.
Heavy and complex nuclear forgings – L&T
National Award for MSME’s
The first winner under this category is AKS Information Technology Services Private Limited. The company has developed Integrated Anti DDoS & Web Application Firewall which provides comprehensive security from Network to Application-level layer. This product ensures 360-degree protection to organizations. HaltDos uses machine learning to identify real-time threats from HTTP requests that do not match any known attack vector.
SVP Laser Technologies Private Limited, the second winner under MSME category, has indigenously developed mission critical Digital Manufacturing technologies like MultiCNC™ computer numerical control (CNC), AutoCAM2D CAM software, and various CNC controlled machines for applications like jewellery manufacturing, PCB, furniture, foam fabrication etc. with several patented technologies.
Kan Biosys Private Limited, the third winner under MSME category, has developed a novel aerobic process for residue or biomass incorporation of rice stubble using Speed Kompost™. The product can be the Indian solution to fight climate change caused by global stubble burning and best method of choice for global carbon sequestration.
AlgalR NutraPharms Private Limited, the fourth and last winner in the MSME category, has developed a Green Technology to produce Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an important omega-3 fatty acid, from microalgae. DHA extracted from microalgae is 100% Vegan and is currently marketed in the name of “AlgalR’s DHA”. Algal DHA can prevent cardiovascular diseases and brain stroke. It improves brain functions among young children, and it is essential for fetal brain development in pregnant women and reproductive health of adults.
AlgalR holds the demand up to 2000 MT Algal DHA per annum from India, the US, Europe, Korea, France, and Brazil. Further scaling-up of this product will eventually reduce our import of $500 million and increase the revenue generation for about ₹500 crore per annum.
National Award for Technology Start-ups
This year six start-ups have been selected for the ₹15 Lakh cash award being given to a technology start-up for promising new technology with potential for commercialization. RAR Engineering Private Limited, the first winner under this category, has been designing, developing and manufacturing new generation active industrial shock absorbers and recoil buffers. Its innovation actively isolates the vibrations produced during firing of weapon to improve its target accuracy.
Fibroheal Wound Care Private Limited worked exclusively on “Silk Proteins” as “Biomaterial for Wound Healing” and utilizes cut cocoons and other by-products of sericulture industry for value addition. The healing products are used for acute/chronic wounds or non/slow healing or difficult to heal wounds.
Althion Tech Innovations Private Limited has developed the ultra-pure water units based on novel RO membrane technology licensed from CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad. Althion’s kidney dialysis water units produce pure water and meets Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation standards. The membrane configuration removes the need for a resin softener, thereby removing the need for salt, and saving water and electricity up to 25%.
KBCols Sciences Private Limited focuses on microbes; microbes produce colours as a response and defensive mechanism in order to protect themselves from the environment. This property of theirs is being explored/exploited by KBCols for over producing pigments in bioreactors using inexpensive waste raw materials. The Company developed customized recipes for using its natural colours (products) in sectors like textiles, home care, foods, cosmetics etc.
Shira MedTech Private Limited has developed Shira Clamp, which attempts to make blood vessel surgeries easier and potentially prevent 100,000 amputations in India every year. With Shira Clamp, surgeons with less experience can attempt a complex blood vessel surgery with lesser chances of error and reduced need of assistance. Shira Clamp is now being used in surgeries across 10 countries in the world.
Newndra Innovations Private Limited has developed exoskeleton called JaipurBelt™. It supports by off-loading the spine and waist up to a configured, variable limit without restricting body movements. It has a patented single point and compact toque adjustment mechanism. This allows the user to adjust the load in a remarkably simple and user-friendly way without tensioning the springs. This exoskeleton can avoid surgeries and drudgery and ensure a safer and faster recovery.