Pune, India - January 19, 2009

Dow Chemical International Pvt. Ltd. (Dow India) is participating in CATSYMP – 19, the annual Catalysis Symposium, organised this year by the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune (NCL). Three leading scientists from Dow India’s research and development (R&D) center in Pune will present technical research papers during the three-day symposium.  In addition, the annual Dow endowment lecture will be delivered by Prof. Ing Jens Weitkamp, professor & director, Institute of Chemical Technology, University of Stuttgart.

“Dow India’s participation in CATSYMP is a hallmark of its commitment towards the propagation of research and development as a driver for the growth and development of India,” said Sarada Namhata, Pune R&D site leader. “Science and innovation are key to our work and commitment here in Pune, and we are proud that our local scientists are sharing their research papers through this prestigious event.” 

Presentations by Dow India scientists are representative of the key areas of research that are currently being undertaken in Pune: Manoj Kharkar will present on “High Throughput Research for Catalyst Development”, Dr Raj Deshpande will present on “Catalytic Conversion of Biorenewable Resources for Platform Chemicals: Possibilities and Options”; and B.P. Kiran will discuss “Acicular Mullite for controlling diesel particulate emissions.”

NCL Research Foundation, an institution aimed at promoting excellence in science and technology, in association with The Dow Chemical Company, USA has instituted an Endowment Lecture Series in honor of Dr. Paul Ratnasamy, former Director of NCL. This lecture is delivered by eminent professors and scientists invited by Dow each year. The 2009 lecture is entitled ‘Making Fuels and Chemicals from Tomorrow’s Raw Materials: Challenges for Catalysis’ and is presented by Professor Jens Weitkamp, a renowned scientist in the areas of heterogeneous catalysis, separations and purifications by adsorption, and applied materials science with a focus on zeolites, with more than 300 scientific papers to his name, either as author or co-author.

About Dow India

Dow Chemical International Private Limited, headquartered in Mumbai, has more than 780 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. More information about Dow India can be found at www.dow-india.com.

About NCL

National Chemical Laboratory is a research institute that houses approximately 200 PhD scientific staff. It has an interdisciplinary research centre with interest in polymer science, organic chemistry, catalysis, materials chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemical sciences and process development. It also has about 300 graduate students pursuing research towards doctoral degree; about 50 students awarded Ph.D. degree every year; a strong and young talent pool. NCL publishes the second largest number of papers in chemical sciences (~ 450), files the largest number of patents, both in India (~30) and abroad (~90) and produces the largest number of PhDs in Chemical Sciences in India.

About Dow

For Editorial Information:

Anuradha Harke
Dow India
+91 9766340541

Roysten D’mello
Dow India
+91 9833859074