"Partnership throughout" is ARCI's motto in an attempt to ensure that the technology receivers flourish. CTATIC plays a key role in this context and coordinates all essential activities for providing wide-ranging support to the entrepreneurs.
ARCI supports ARCI's technology receivers in the following
Assistance in getting Soft Loan from TIFAC/Technology Development Board
Technical Support for Developing New Applications and Process Improvement
Assistance in Generation of New Markets
Upgradation of Technology
Testing and Product Characterization
ARCI has developed a proactive technology transfer strategy, the main elements of which are as follows
Intellectual Property Protection
Market Assessment through Application Development
Technology Transfer on exclusive basis in case of Niche Market Technologies
Milestone-linked payment of Technology Transfer fee to ARCI
Performance Guarantee of the Technology at the Commercial Scale
Transfers on exclusive and non-exclusive basis, depending upon type of development (in house, sponsored, joint, collaborative)
ARCI has transferred technologies to industry broadly in 3 modes described below
Technologies Developed with International Co-operation and Transferred
The technology transfer model envisaged and adopted during initial stages by ARCI included identifying an appropriate laboratory scale technology from an institution/R & D centre located in one of the CIS countries, incorporating suitable modifications to suit Indian conditions and setting up a pilot unit to prove the technology before finally effecting technology transfer to the interested entrepreneurs. The above approach led to transfer of many technologies, which have met with varying commercial success as described.
Technologies Developed at Request of a Company and Transferred
In another technology transfer model, adopted by ARCI, technologies have been developed at the specific request of a company. Some of the technologies under this category have already been developed and transferred to the user industry. In other cases, technologies are under development and will be transferred shortly. A brief description of few such technologies is given below.
In yet another successfully adopted technology development and transfer model, ARCI has developed technologies on its own based on their envisaged market potential and the uniqueness of the technologies in the national context. A brief description of some technologies developed on the basis of the above approach is given below.
ARCI has led successfully implementation of the DSC technology as well as its adoption by the Indian industry for depositing coatings on a wide range of engineering components to enhance their service life and performance. The DSC technology has already been transferred to four private enterprises, namely Shafel Tech, Sai Surface Coating Technologies, Associated Plasmatron and SVX Powder M Surface Engg Pvt. Ltd. Based on ARCI's assessment of the commercial potential of the DSC technology, a conscious decision was made to transfer the technology to the above entrepreneurs on a regionally exclusive basis.
Apart from limiting the number of DSC systems established in the country, this also ensured that no unhealthy competition was coated in any particular region. This approach has already borne fruit as it has ensured significant commercial growth of all the DSC-based job shops. While the DSC technology transfer to SVX Powder M Surface Engg Pvt. Ltd. took place relatively, recently in 2004; the other three DSC-based job shops were set-up during the period May 1999-November 2000. In each case, soft loan from either TIFAC or TDB played a crucial facilitating role. Because of high quality coatings that they offer at competitive prices, all four technology receivers have been executing orders from prestigious clients in diverse industry segments including aerospace, oil and gas, thermal power, steel, textile etc.
While all the four technology receivers have registered impressive growth, the commercial success of the DSC is exemplified by the manner in which the company Sai Surface Coating Technologies (SSCT) has been able to leverage its full potential. SSCT established its DSC job shop in AMTI in November 2000. With its active marketing and periodic technical assistance from ARCI, SSCT could establish its presence in a large number of industrial sectors by providing a wide spectrum of ceramic, metal and alloy coatings, which were well accepted by the Industry. To meet the increased business volume generated as a result of encouraging market response, the company bought a second DSC unit from ARCI in the year 2005-06. It was also the first company to graduate out of ARCI's incubator. The company has established its own production facility at Patancheru in Hyderabad.
Heat pipe based heat sinks find wide-ranging applications in areas such as telecom industry, refrigeration, air-conditioning, waste heat recovery, power electronics etc. ARCI has transferred the technology for manufacturing heat pipe - based heat sinks to Capri Cables Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad. Technology transfer has included leasing the complete manufacturing set-up, providing standard operating procedures for the entire process and rendering complete training to the operating personnel. The technology receiver has established the production facility in AMTI and executed trial orders in diverse industry segments for rectifiers, electronic panels, motor bearings etc. The company has been making efforts to make the products suitable for existing industrial requirements with minimal design changes. It has also developed new applications for energy recovery in air handling units, humidity control systems, solar energy applications and cryogenics. Currently, the company is supplying trial samples to various prospective customers and repeat orders are expected based on the encouraging feedback received.
3. Exfoliated Graphite
The exfoliated graphite programme at ARCI endeavored not only to demonstrate its technological potential but also to mitigate the problem associated with usage of asbestos, which is carcinogenic and banned from use in developed countries. ARCI transferred the technology to manufacture exfoliated graphite and other value added products to Falcon Graphite Industries (FGI), Hyderabad. FGI established a production facility at a cost of Rs 83 lakhs in AMTI. With financial assistance from TIFAC, FGI commenced commercial production of reinforced graphite sheets for varying applications, such as cylinder head gaskets of automobiles, seals for casting of railway wheels and graphite tape during 2003-04. In 2004-05, FGI initiated diversification of its product portfolio to cater to user-specific needs such as graphite sheets for spiral wound gaskets, self-lubricating graphite seals and rings for various industrial applications. To further expand its market size, FGI has been making efforts to develop graphite products for niche areas like electrostatic shields, sound absorption panels and fuel cell components.
The evaporation boats development programme was launched at ARCI in the year 1995-96 with an aim to substitute the imported products which were meeting most of the Indian requirement. The evaporation boats are used to aluminize papers and synthetic films like PVC, Nylon, Polyester etc. In order to assess the market acceptance of metal boats manufactured in India, a detailed comparative analysis pertaining to physical, mechanical and thermal properties of boats from leading manufactures in USA, UK, Ukraine and Germany was conducted. Subsequently, market sensitization of the boats manufactured by ARCIs CIS collaborators was carried out by supplying the boats to users for trials. Based on the positive feedback received from potential users, Supervac Oils, New Delhi entered into an agreement with ARCI in February 2003 for transfer of the evaporation boats technology. Supervac Oils commercialized the evaporation boats technology in the year 2004-2005 and the venture was set-up at AMTI.
With ARCI's guidance and assistance, Supervac Oils was able to increase the life of boats on par with the life of imported boats. However, since 2005-2006, the company has been facing some problems on the price front as Chinese manufacturers have started supplying the evaporation boats at almost 50% of the price prevailing in the Indian market. Further onslaught on the existing market was brought about by the supply of metallizing plants using induction heating systems to achieve Aluminum evaporation to India by Japanese manufacturers, which eliminated the requirement of evaporation boats. The above factors have adversely influenced the commercial viability of the evaporation boat technology, which will now have to depend upon significant reduction in production costs in order to be competitive.
5. Magnesium Aluminate Spinel (MAS)
MPR Refractories Ltd., Hyderabad has been in the business of manufacturing a wide variety of refractory bricks. Capitalizing on the market potential for Magnesium Aluminate Spinel (MAS) technology and availability of core competence for the manufacture of refractory bricks, MPR Refractories Ltd undertook the challenge of developing MAS aggregates. In order to produce superior quality refractory products and to realize the full potential of the MAS technology, MPR Refractories Ltd. collaborated with ARCI in the year 1996-97 to develop an indigenous technology for dense MAS aggregates. The technology targeted production of synthetic material MAS, which is chemically inert and has high thermal shock resistance for refractory applications.
After completion of joint development of the MAS technology, White Circle Oxide Limited (WCOL)-Hyderabad signed a technology transfer agreement in March, 2000 with ARCI and MPR Refractories Ltd., co-developers of the process know-how. The project received a term loan from the Technology Development Board as well as financial support from the Industrial Development Bank of India and State Bank of Indore. WCOL commissioned a commercial plant of 6,000 TPA at Peddapuram in Andhra Pradesh at a cost of about Rs 25 crores. The plant started commercial production in August/September 2002. The company produces its spinels by a unique two-stage reaction sintering process that ensures a good quality product. Aggressive market development efforts have been put-in by WCOL as a result of which the company has been successful in generating a clientele not only in the domestic market but also in European and Middle Eastern countries.
Development of crucibles for Carbon and Sulphur analysis was initiated by ARCI in the year 1997-98. These crucibles have high refractoriness, as well as resistance to thermal shock and corrosive atmospheres. Crucibles produced with this technology are economical and possess better properties as compared to imported crucibles. The company, Advanced Ceramics, was formerly engaged in the production of cordierite-based crucibles. However, these crucibles were not performing as desired by the users. Advanced Ceramics approached ARCI with a view to develop high quality crucibles and, out of the various crucibles developed by ARCI, Alumina- Silica based crucibles were found suitable for analysis.
A technology transfer agreement was signed with Advanced Ceramics, Hyderabad in July 1998 and the company has setup a commercial plant to produce 6 lakhs crucibles/ year with financial support from TIFAC's Home Grown Technology (HGT) program. The technology has been successfully transferred to the company which has been able to develop a niche market in various market segments like steel, rubber, mining etc.
7. Ceramic Honeycombs for Air Heaters
A start-up venture, Aerotherm, engaged in the business of development of conventional air heaters, approached ARCI in 1997 to develop a technology to save energy by using honeycomb configurations. A technology development and transfer agreement was signed with Aerotherm in November 1998. Subsequently, ARCI jointly developed ceramic honeycomb based air heaters in collaboration with Aerotherm during the year 1998-99. The technology uses a special configuration of honeycombs to produce energy efficient, economical and durable air heaters, which show high thermal efficiency and can save up to 50% energy. With the help of these heaters, insulation costs and inevitable heat losses can be minimized. These air heaters find applications in both industrial and domestic sectors. Initial trials were conducted to test the efficacy of the new air heaters. Air heaters based on ceramic honeycombs were then supplied for market sensitization with excellent response from potential customers.
TIFAC provided Rs 5 lakhs as grants-in-aid under its Techno-Entrepreneurs Promotion Programme (TePP) scheme to Aerotherm to implement this invention for industrial applications. In the year 2000-01, Aerotherm changed its name to Sowbal Aerothermics and established its facility for the production of prototype air heaters at Hyderabad under the TePP-TIFAC programme. Prototypes produced by the company were installed at sites of various user industries of Hyderabad. By the year 2001-02, the company had developed 10 different types of prototypes and obtained several commercial orders, especially from confectionary, general engineering, pharmaceutical and chemical companies. The project was successfully completed achieving its envisaged objectives and the company initiated its commercial production in the year 2002-03.
In the year 2004-05, Sowbal supplied hot air units to a vast majority of companies from the Indian candy industry and received excellent feedback. Sowbal also developed a flange end heater and has taken successful trials with the air heating equipment in industrial facilities with large heating chambers. Sowbal has also developed new applications utilizing a unique welding electrode warmer/ oven by introducing a novel modification in the air heaters' technology. The welding electrode warmer saves energy and improves efficiency while drying flux coated welding electrode rods. For instance, such a welding electrode warmer consumes 60% less electricity than that consumed by conventional heating units and provides almost 100% higher productivity. Applications for grant of an Indian patent and Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) have been filed for this innovation.
The company has also developed a recirculating type heating unit for rotomoulding of PVC containers and pipes, hot air units for coating pan driers and has extended its product range to humidification and incubation equipment to meet various industrial needs. With its wide product range for air-heating applications, the company currently is able to attract Indian as well as international clients. Plans are underway to license the air heaters' technology in the international market.
The technology development programme was aimed at developing two types of cements, namely High Alumina Cement (with 71% alumina content) and Low Alumina Cement (with 51% alumina content) for use in refractory castings. Formulations were frozen based on the raw materials supplied by the technology receiver. Process parameters were optimized to achieve the desired phases and the developed samples were supplied to the technology recipient for further trials. Initial trials have yielded good results and, on completion of field trials, a demonstration of the technology by ARCI is planned as a prelude to establishment of a production facility at the technology receiver’s site. The project also envisaged the development of furnace sealants. During field trials, the formulations provided by ARCI were found acceptable beyond 900oC.
9. Anti-Bacterial Nanosilver Suspensions or Powders for Medical Devices
A company in the existing business of medical devices signed a technology development agreement with ARCI in February 2007. The purpose is to develop nanosilver modified powders as well as suspensions for polymeric medical devices. Trials have already commenced with powder and suspension samples provided by ARCI.
10. Nano-titanium Dioxide based Textile Finishes for Self-cleaning Applications
A know-how development and transfer agreement was signed between ARCI and a company which is in the business of manufacturing textile finishes with various formulations in September 2007. The company was desirous of utilizing ARCI's expertise for developing textile finish formulations using titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanopowders or suspensions or both to impart self-cleaning characteristics in the fabric as a first step. ARCI would then demonstrate the suitability of the above nanopowders for practical applications and would assist the company to commercialize the technology in the later stages.
11. Nanosilver based Textile Finishes for Antibacterial Applications
A know-how development and transfer agreement was signed between ARCI and a company which is in the business of manufacturing textile finishes with various formulations in September 2007. The company was desirous of utilizing ARCIs expertise for developing textile finish formulations using silver nanopowders or suspensions or both to impart antibacterial characteristics in the fabric as a first step and then eventually commercialize the technology with assistance from ARCI.
The MAO technology is a novel means of depositing dense, thick and ultra-hard coatings on metals like Aluminum, Magnesium and Zirconium and their alloys. ARCI has demonstrated the superiority of its MAO technology in terms of coating density, deposition kinetics, tribological properties and corrosion resistance over other global efforts. On the strength of ints innovative features, the technology has been patented both in India and in the US and its promise to replace conventional coating techniques like hard-anodizing, hard-chrome plating etc. has also been demonstrated. As a logical follow-up, the MAO technology has been scaled up to an industrially relevant level and numerous applications have been successfully established. The technology is also attracting considerable global attention.
In the year 2005-06, technology transfer agreements were signed with Alcoats-Mysore, Ayappan Hi-Tek Engineering - Coimbatore, AMI Polymers- Gujarat and SMS Coatings (India) Pvt. Ltd. - Hyderabad, providing each of them exclusivity to the technology in their respective states. Initial field trials carried out in numerous industry sectors based on coatings provided by the above technology receivers have been successful. Some promising markets for the MAO technology have been identified by the entrepreneurs and these will soon be exploited.
ESC technology is a promising surface engineering tool that imparts enhanced wear resistance to engineering components prone to degradation due to any of the wear phenomena. Ease of operation, cost effectiveness and ability to coat components with complicated geometry in localized areas make ESC technology very unique and attractive for industrial adoption. The ESC technology was initially transferred to H. K. Industries - Mumbai, Worthington Pumps - Calcutta and Shyam International - Hyderabad in the year 1996-97 and impressive market acceptance was noted based on the initial user trials. Encouraged by the excellent response received from the Indian industries, ARCI upgraded the technology by launching three versions of ESC units with different coating thickness build-up capabilities in the year 1999. The ESC technology based on the above units was later transferred to Shafel Tech - Chennai, Fine Coats - Coimbatore, Shreenath Engineering Industries - Nagpur, Sai Surface Coatings - Hyderabad during the period 1999-2000. By the end of year 2000, ARCI was successful in transferring the ESC technology to eight Indian companies.
Upgrading the earlier version of ESC technology equipment, ARCI came out with an ergonomically designed ESC model called ARCI 6M in the year 2002-03 that is capable of providing a wide range of coating thicknesses (5 - 150 microns) employing 6 different energy modes. The technology for manufacture of advanced version of ESC units was transferred to Bharadwaj e-Technologies (BeT), Hyderabad in the year 2005. BeT has received an encouraging response from prospective buyers of these ESC units.
NR Industries signed a technology transfer agreement with ARCI in December 2006 to manufacture honeycomb based molten metal filters for ferrous and non-ferrous metals in foundries. The filters were developed in two compositions i.e. Cordierite-Mullite and Zirconia.
NR Industries has already carried out extensive field trials successfully with samples of these filters supplied by ARCI. These trials have confirmed that the honeycomb based molten metal filters are capable of successfully withstanding the chemical environment that they are exposed to during routine operation in various targeted industry segments. A production facility is soon to be set-up by the company in Nashik, Maharashtra based on the ARCI know-how.
15. Antibacterial Nanosilver Impregnation of Ceramic Water Filter Candles
SBP Technologies, a company in the business of manufacturing ceramic water filter candles and housings, was desirous of acquiring ARCI's technology for antibacterial nanosilver impregnation on ceramic water filter candles for them to enter into a new business of manufacturing and marketing nanosilver impregnated ceramic candles as well as water filters. The company signed a know-how transfer agreement with ARCI in June 2007. Currently, ARCI is in the process of transferring the technology to the company.
