Coromandel International sets up nanotech R&D centre in Coimbatore

CHENNAI: Murugappa Group-owned agriculture solutions company Coromandel International has launched a nanotechnology centre in Coimbatore for research and development around nano-enabled agriculture inputs for crop protection and nutrition. The investment in the new centre remains undisclosed.

The centre -- located in TICEL Bio Park -- will be the company's sixth R&D facility overall and the second centre focusing on development of next-generation agri-inputs. Coromandel already has a research facility in Monash Academy, IIT- Bombay. While the company is currently staffing the new nanotech R&D centre with in-house staff, it also plans to hire talent.

The R&D facility is equipped with research equipment for work on synthesis, characterization, biosafety testing and evaluation of nanoproducts, the company said in a statement to exchanges.

It would also serve as a central laboratory for all nano-products of Coromandel to ensure full compliance with regulatory guidelines, it added.

Earlier this year, Coromandel launched Nano DAP, a nanotech-based fertiliser for crops. It has also developed a Nano urea formulation that is currently undergoing farmer trials. Further, the company is in the process of setting up an integrated Nano products manufacturing facility at Kakinada.

“This [the new centre] will enable high quality research in nano space and is in line with various government initiatives to promote innovation and use of technology. This is a major step towards strengthening India’s R&D capabilities for development of efficient plant nutrition and protection solutions," Coromandel’s executive vice- chairman Arun Alagappan said.