Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh called for a fundamental shift in industry-R&D collaboration models during the 6th RISE Conclave at CSIR-IICB, Kolkata. The Minister advocated for identifying and associating commercial partners at the project-planning stage itself to incorporate market requirements, design considerations, environmental sustainability, supply-chain needs, and commercial viability during technology development rather than after completion.
Industry representatives raised specific technology challenges including rare-earth extraction, permanent magnets, recycling, lithium beneficiation, and recovery of strategic minerals like vanadium and titanium. They sought technological hand-holding from CSIR laboratories for scaling these technologies and discussed exploration possibilities for rare earths and other critical minerals in eastern India.
Space technology and specialized optical components were also discussed, with Dr. Singh indicating that space-related matters could be taken up with the Department of Space. The Minister reported that regulatory simplification had already been undertaken and invited further specific inputs from industry for consideration.
Dr. Singh proposed exploring a common R&D facility for the foundry sector, urging steel-sector players to collaborate and articulate requirements with government facilitation. He explicitly stated there are no restrictions on industries coming together to create such platforms.
Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals raised the possibility of reviving indigenous anti-snake venom production, noting eastern India's distinct snake species and specific regional requirements. The Minister advised engagement with the West Bengal Health Ministry while emphasizing alignment with scientific and public-health requirements. A startup presented technologies for snakebite species identification and new antivenom solutions, with Dr. Singh emphasizing the need for proper scientific validation and clinical trials through the West Bengal Health Ministry before wider adoption.
The Minister encouraged moving from general discussions to specific, actionable requirements and assured government facilitation of appropriate linkages. He emphasized that engagement should not remain restricted to formal events, inviting continuous industry engagement with concerned institutions to strengthen India's technology ecosystem through early industry partnership, scientific institution enablement, and government facilitation.