Godavari Biorefineries Limited (GBL) was honored at the 60th Annual ICC Awards, 2025, which took place at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, on September 19, 2025. The company was presented with the esteemed ICC – K. V. Mariwala Award for Effective Chemical Industry–Academia Partnership, shared with the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai. This award acknowledges GBL’s leadership in establishing strong connections between industry and academia, promoting green technologies, and driving innovation within India’s chemical sector, according to the press release.
The recognition comes in light of GBL’s collaboration with ICT, which has led to the development of a groundbreaking technology that converts CO₂ into di-methyl ether (DME) through ICT’s innovative single-step catalytic conversion process. This method proves to be more efficient and cost-effective than traditional processes. DME serves as both a clean fuel alternative to LPG and diesel, and a valuable chemical feedstock, with applications in chemical synthesis. The technology was jointly developed by GBL and ICT under the guidance of Prof. G. D. Yadav and the leadership of Mr. Samir Somaiya, CMD of GBL. GBL’s ethanol fermentation process generates biogenic CO₂, which is utilized in the conversion to DME.
Commenting on the award, Shri Samir Somaiya, Chairman and Managing Director of GBL, expressed his gratitude: “We are deeply honored to receive this recognition and extend our sincere thanks to the Indian Chemical Council. This award highlights our enduring partnership with ICT Mumbai, a crucial ally in research, innovation, and knowledge-sharing. At GBL, we remain committed to sustainability, renewable chemistry, and the principles of a circular economy. We strongly believe that robust industry-academia collaborations are vital to enhancing India’s global competitiveness and addressing sustainability challenges. We will continue to invest in research, innovation, and partnerships that contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.”
The ICC – K.V. Mariwala Award, presented by the Indian Chemical Council (ICC), acknowledges transformative industry-academia collaborations that lead to innovative solutions, stimulate technology transfer, and facilitate practical applications. The award encourages the bridging of research with industrial practices, fostering advanced processes, future leadership pipelines, and sustainable technologies. During the Awards seminar, Mr. Ramnath Kadam, Senior Manager–Process Engineer at GBL, and Padmashri Prof. Dr. G. D. Yadav, Emeritus Professor of Eminence at ICT Mumbai, highlighted the successful collaboration between GBL and ICT.
As a leader in renewable chemicals, green technologies, and biofuels, GBL continues to innovate by transforming agro-based raw materials into sustainable products. The company also promotes knowledge-sharing networks and nurtures emerging talent through partnerships with academic institutions, contributing to both industry growth and societal sustainability.
