The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Centre of excellence being set up at IICT

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Monday, Mar 03, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Centre of excellence being set up at IICT

HYDERABAD: A centre of excellence for lipid research is being set up at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) here for the benefit of the vegetable oil industry and to strengthen high quality research in the thrust areas.

Work has begun on construction of the main building for which the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has allotted Rs. 5 crore of the approved budget of Rs. 17 crore, according to IICT Director J.S. Yadav.

Expected to be completed by 2010-11, the centre will have three specialised quality control laboratories for analysis of vegetable oils and allied products, bio-diesel and lubricants. Also, a process equipment pilot plant for vegetable oil processing will be established. These facilities will cater to the needs of the vegetable and allied product industry on par with international standards.

Refresher course

The centre will also conduct refresher courses on newer developments in processing of vegetable oils and allied products and short-term courses on analytical techniques to train personnel as part of the human resources development programme.

The IICT’s lipid science and technology division is executing several R&D projects worth more than Rs. 35 crore with financial support from various Government organisations. It has established a good rapport with industries.

About 80 clients have joined hands to leverage the expertise available with the institute, which is pursuing research in bio-diesel and vegetable oil-based lubricants. IICT has launched a major project to develop technologies for synthetic aviation lubricants from indigenous resources.

The vegetable oil industry occupies a pride of place in India with a turnover of Rs. 70,000 crore, including an import-export trade worth Rs. 15,000 crore.

Dr. Yadav wants the industry to encourage the lipid science and oil technology division by making use of its facilities and entrusting more innovative projects.

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