Research & Development

The primary thrust of Atul’s Research & Development efforts is to develop products and processes that are efficient, safe and environmentally friendly; and which cater to demands of global and domestic customers.

Process and product improvement are also key activities of the R&D group. In order to respond quickly to market demands, every business unit (Agrochemicals, Aromatics, Bulk Chemicals and Intermediates, Colors, Pharmaceutical Intermediates, and Polymers) has its own Research & Development team. The central Research & Development group provides common facilities like pilot plant, certain analytical instruments, technical library etc.

Our entire Research & Development team consists of Doctorates and Graduates. We subscribe to several Indian and international journals and magazines. We are well equipped with analytical instruments such as HPTLC, GCMS, DSC, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, HPLC and GC. We have established links with certain CSIR laboratories like IICT, Hyderabad; NCL, Pune; and CSMCRI, Bhavnagar with the primary purpose of technology transfer and sponsored research programmes.

During 2004-05, the Research & Development team developed approximately 70 processes and the Company commercialized ~ 40 processes. Close to 30 processes were improved with respect to raw material and utility usage, batch cycle time and waste reduction. Several new methods of analysis (Wet Chemistry, HPLC, GC) were developed.

Atul spends close to 1% of its sales value on Research & Development. During 2004-05 goods worth Rs 100 crores of sales values were manufactured based on processes developed in our Research & Development laboratories.