CSIR–NIIST Strengthens Industry Linkages with Transfer of 11 Technologies

Thiruvananthapuram: CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR–NIIST) underscored its growing emphasis on market-driven innovation and technology commercialisation during a recent industry-focused programme marked by the transfer of 11 technologies and the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Addressing the gathering, the Director of CSIR–NIIST highlighted the institute’s strategic transition from conventional research and development ((R&D) to an innovation-centric R&D model. He explained that the new approach prioritises product design aligned with market needs, ensuring that technologies remain adaptable and are continuously refined even after their transfer to industry partners.

The Director also shed light on the scientific and developmental journey behind several flagship technologies, including protein-enriched rice, foam-stabilised instant coffee, and sodium-reduced salt. Emphasising the critical role of industry collaboration, he noted that partnerships are essential for scaling laboratory innovations into commercially viable products capable of delivering real-world impact.

Chairman and Managing Director of the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), Commodore Amit Rastogi (Retd), spoke about the revitalised partnership between CSIR and NRDC in advancing technology commercialisation. He revealed that NRDC has successfully commercialised a significant number of CSIR-developed technologies over the past two years, generating notable royalty and premium revenues.

Expanding on NRDC’s evolving mandate, Commodore Rastogi outlined the organisation’s broadened support ecosystem, which now goes beyond traditional licensing models. Key initiatives include the development of incubation infrastructure, Technology Readiness Level assessments through the NETRA framework, design clinics, system engineering support, intellectual property facilitation, and financial assistance of up to ₹1 crore for technology development. He also highlighted seed funding mechanisms aimed at accelerating innovation.

Looking ahead, he shared NRDC’s plans to establish a National Technology Translation Organization and develop an AI-enabled technology exchange platform. These initiatives are expected to enhance the visibility of research outcomes and improve their conversion into market-ready solutions.

The event drew active participation from industry representatives, researchers, and media professionals, reflecting strong stakeholder engagement. The successful transfer of multiple technologies reinforced CSIR–NIIST’s commitment to fostering a dynamic lab-to-market pipeline, driving innovation-led growth, and delivering tangible national impact.