CSIR-IICT, ISRO’s VSSC join hands to develop indigenous green blowing agent technology

CSIR-IICT and ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre have signed an MoU to jointly develop indigenous, environmentally sustainable blowing agent technology. The collaboration aims to support advanced space applications, reduce reliance on imported fluorochemicals, and strengthen India's capabilities in strategic materials research.

Hyderabad: Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) has signed an MoU with Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to jointly develop indigenous technology for next-generation environmentally sustainable blowing agents for advanced strategic applications.

The resulting foam and polymer materials developed through blowing technology can play a vital role in developing thermal insulation for space launch vehicles, structural damping and acoustic protection for spacecraft, and lightweight core materials essential for structural integrity and payload optimisation.

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Dr D Srinivas Reddy, Director, IICT, said the collaboration would accelerate development of indigenous, environmentally sustainable blowing agent technology and reduce India’s dependence on imported specialty fluorochemicals.

Dr Rajeev UP, Director, VSSC, said Fluoroorganics Laboratory at IICT possesses niche R&D capabilities and specialised infrastructure for the safe handling of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (HF), a critical requirement for the synthesis of next-generation environmentally compliant blowing agents.

Dr Punna Nagender, project leader, IICT, said the collaboration aims to develop an indigenous technology that will strengthen India’s capabilities in advanced fluorochemicals.