IREL with CSIR-IMMT organized 'Industry and R&D conclave on Rare Earths'

Bhubaneswar: IREL (India) Limited in association with CSIR-IMMT organized an “Industry and R&D conclave on Rare Earths” in the Auditorium of CSIR-IMMT at Bhubaneswar on 17th Dec 2022. Deloitte was the knowledge partner of the conclave. Dr V.K. Saraswat, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

The objective of the Conclave was to trigger various research and academic institutes to initiate focused R&D using Rare Earths to move up the hierarchy and aspiring industries to set up plants for commercial exploitation as like in any aspiring economy. The Conclave was attended by professionals from various R&D institutes as well as Industrial conglomerates. 

Addressing the audience in the opening remarks, Shri D Singh, CMD, IREL narrated the capabilities of IREL, to extract Rare Earth bearing minerals, the content of which in the ore is to the tune of 0.056-0.058% and associated with radioactivity. He also emphasized that though Rare Earths are found in many countries, India is among three to four Countries globally having the capabilities to produce refined Rare Earths. He also briefed the gathering on the catalytic role played by Rare Earths in enhancing the performance of products along with the challenges in developing mid-stream and downstream industries and the need for R&D and Industry to work in a closed loop to take India to newer heights. 

Dr V.K. Saraswat, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog during his speech expressed his happiness with IREL (India) Limited for setting up multiple operations to produce refined Rare Earths. He also appreciated IREL’s efforts towards setting up of Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Plant in Vizag, a Rare Earth and Titanium Theme Park in Bhopal and for creating an apt platform for the R&D and Industry to get together on a common platform.

Post the inaugural session, the exhibition stalls set up by IREL, BTRI & IMMT were inaugurated after which a series of sessions and panel discussions were held to discuss various topics such as technologies developed through IREL Technology Development Council, Nd Metal/ Alloy/ Magnet Making, R&D Activities related to Rare Earths, need of policy interventions, etc. The sessions were summarized by Deloitte, Knowledge Partner. During the occasion, an MoU was also signed between IREL and IMMT for joint R&D collaborations.