Nalco R&D centre register 29 patents

Five of the 29 patents registered by Nalco have been commercialised and the aluminium major is likely to put its nano-based Emrion Technology for de-fluoridisation to use in endemic fluoride contaminated areas for the benefit of common people.
"Nalco R&D centre has already registered 29 patents of which 5 have been commercialized. Recently, Nalco achieved commercial success with a breakthrough nano-based Emrion Technology for de-fluoridisation, for the first time in the world," Nalco CMD Tapan Kumar Chand said.
Stating that the technology has been put into operation at Angul for recovering fluoride contamination and the results have been highly encouraging, he said the Navaratna PSU is likely to put the technology to use in endemic fluoride contaminated areas for the benefit of common people.

"Considering the need for change to ensure sustainability, we have taken up various cutting-edge Research and Development initiatives," Chand said at the inauguration of Nalco Research and Technology Centre (NRTC) at Gothapatana here yesterday.
Inaugurating the NRTC, Union Mines Secretary Balvinder Kumar said Nalco has already set a niche for itself in the field of R&D in the aluminium industry. The new Research and Technology Centre would further augment its efforts to meet the R&D requirements of the future and provide immense competitive benefits, said Kumar.
The Nalco CMD said the company has entered into an R&D cooperation agreement with Rio Tinto Alcan for development of AP2XN technology which aims to reduce energy consumption at the smelter by about 5 per cent. An R&D agreement was signed with Chalieco, China for separation of iron concentrate from Red Mud, he said.

Similarly, an MoU with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai will work on R&D projects for gallium recovery from Bayer's liquor, extraction of rare earths from red mud and other areas of mutual interest. NRTC is designed with a view to boost the research initiatives of the company and promoting young researchers as well, said Chand
According to the CMD, waste utilisation, maximizing productivity, reduction of specific consumption, development of new products and alloys are key research areas that will complement the new business plan being put together by Nalco, a company release said.