Mumbai, India - December 29, 2008
Dr Ramesh Ramachandran, President and CEO Dow Chemical International Pvt Ltd (Dow India), was awarded the Asian Paints Padma Bhushan Dr R A Mashelkar Medal and Chemcon Distinguished Speaker Award for Leadership at Chemcon 2008 organized by the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers. The award ceremony, held to recognize the efforts taken by various entities in developing products and solutions addressing energy and sustainability, was followed by a symposium for the exchange of ideas and insights and included a presentation by Dr Ramachandran entitled "Chemical Engineers: Stewards for a Sustainable Planet".
During his lecture, Dr Ramachandran issued a clarion wake up call to the chemical engineering fraternity to recapture the mantle of innovation to solve the basic issues facing the world today: water, food and shelter.
"The chemical industry is the only profession that will be able to find solutions to some of the world's greatest problems," said Ramachandran. "We must dispel the negative image that surrounds our profession and instead focus on developing innovative technical solutions. Energy, greenhouse gases, global warming - all can, and will, be addressed through chemistry.
"Chemcon is a significant platform for dialogue between scientists and engineers for the emergence of innovative thought and vision, and we must use this opportunity to learn and share with each other to find sustainable answers to these issues facing our planet quickly and efficiently," he continued.
Ramachandran also used his presentation to highlight what Dow is doing in the area of sustainability showing examples of turning sugar cane into ethanol in Brazil, and promoting Dow's 2015 sustainability goals which set transparent long-range targets for the company. Closer to home, Ramachandran provided information on developments in polyurethane (PU) technology which is being used for the Jaipur Foot initiative as well as a project based on Dow Water Solutions technology which can provide potable water at a minimum cost of Re 1 for 10 liters.
The Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Congress CHEMCON 2008 saw the participation of more than 1000 delegates from across the chemical industry in a knowledge-sharing platform and forum for India's chemical and allied industries, academia and research for continuous education, professional excellence and networking.
About Dow India
Dow Chemical International Private Limited, headquartered in Mumbai, has more than 700 employees operating from its offices, manufacturing site and three Centers of Excellence. Operations in India have experienced exciting growth with annual sales touching the Rs 2000 crores ($ 500 mm) in 2007. As a responsible corporate citizen, Dow India has helped build homes for the homeless through the 'Habitat for Humanity' Jimmy Carter Work Project, supplied free artificial limbs through the 'Jaipur Foot' initiative, and collaborated with the Byrraju and Anarde Foundation to supply clean drinking water to villages in India.
About Dow
For Editorial Information:
Roysten D’mello
Dow India
+91 9833859074
Chennakeshav Shenoy
Perfect Relations - Mumbai
+91 9819266998
cshenoy@perfectrelations.com
