CSIR–NIIST Showcases 11 Technology Transfers and Signs MoU at “Lab to Market” Event in New Delhi
CSIR–NIIST Showcases 11 Technology Transfers and Signs MoU at “Lab to Market” Event in New Delhi
CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR–NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, organised “CSIR–NIIST Tech Connect: Lab to Market” at CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi, marking a major milestone in technology translation and industry engagement. The event witnessed the transfer of 11 technologies and the signing of one Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), underscoring CSIR’s commitment to taking research outcomes from laboratories to industry and society.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Director General, CSIR, Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi, emphasised the importance of transitioning from conventional R&D to “R&D Innovation,” where research begins with market needs and moves backward to design impactful solutions. She underlined that research institutions must focus not only on knowledge generation but also on translation, validation, scalability, and commercialization to ensure societal benefit.
Highlighting the growing synergy between CSIR laboratories and industry partners, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi noted that technology transfer is no longer a peripheral activity but a core institutional mandate, aligned with national priorities of self-reliance, sustainability, and nutrition security. Dr. Kalaiselvi lauded CSIR–NIIST’s expanding innovation ecosystem, including its focus on interdisciplinary research areas such as biosciences, bioengineering, Ayurveda research, artificial intelligence, and sustainable materials.
DG CSIR highlighted the establishment of the CSIR–NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub, aimed at fostering startups, SMEs and industry collaborations in areas including sustainable packaging, spice incubation, coir and rubber technologies, and green hydrogen-enabled bio-manufacturing. She noted that strengthening external cash flow, increasing non-governmental revenue sources, and significantly scaling up technology transfer volumes reflect a strategic shift towards translational research and commercialization-driven growth.
Among the major technologies transferred was a high-protein, low glycaemic index rice enriched with micronutrients, including iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12. Developed to address anaemia and diabetes concerns, the rice varieties demonstrated enhanced protein content and reduced glycaemic index while retaining cooking and sensory properties. Another key transfer included a novel instant coffee foam technology capable of sustaining foam at high temperatures without milk addition.
In addition, a low-sodium salt technology with significant sodium reduction was introduced, with an MoU signed for further collaborative research and scale-up. Several other technologies, including cardanol polyol-based polyurethane dispersions, osmotic dehydration processes, ready-to-cook vegetable mixes, fruit roll technologies, composting bio medium (JAIVAM), and vegan leather, were also transferred to industry partners.
In his address, Director, CSIR–NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, described the event as a “festival of technology transfers,” reflecting NIIST’s strategic decision to expand its national footprint and enhance industry visibility. He highlighted the institute’s significant performance indicators, including a sharp rise in external revenue generation, technology transfer volumes, industry projects, CSR projects, and research output.
Director CSIR–NIIST explained that the institute consciously shifted its approach from traditional R&D to R&D innovation, where product design is guided by market demand, and technologies are continuously refined post-transfer. He also elaborated on the science and development journey behind key technologies such as protein-enriched rice, foam-stabilised instant coffee, and sodium-reduced salt, emphasising the importance of industry collaboration in scaling laboratory breakthroughs.
Chairman & Managing Director, National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), Commodore Amit Rastogi (Retd), highlighted the renewed synergy between CSIR and NRDC in strengthening technology commercialization. He noted that over the past two years, NRDC has commercialised a substantial number of CSIR technologies and generated significant royalty and premium revenue. He outlined NRDC’s expanded role beyond conventional licensing, including the creation of incubation infrastructure, technology readiness level assessment (NETRA), design clinics, system engineering support, financial assistance up to ₹1 crore for technology development, seed funding support, and IP facilitation. He also spoke about NRDC’s plans for a National Technology Translation Organization and an AI-enabled technology exchange platform to enhance visibility and conversion of research outputs into market-ready products.
The event also witnessed active participation from industry leaders, researchers, and media, reinforcing CSIR–NIIST’s vision of building a robust lab-to-market pipeline. With the transfer of 11 technologies and one MoU exchange, the programme demonstrated CSIR’s strengthened focus on industry connect, innovation-led growth and national impact.
