IICT, ISRO collaborate to develop eco-friendly inflator

CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad and India’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) have joined hands to develop a proprietary technology for next-generation, environmentally sustainable blowing agents for advanced strategic applications.

The collaboration combines CSIR-IICT’s expertise in fluorochemical synthesis and process development with VSSC’s application-specific requirements and technical evaluation capabilities to create an environmentally friendly domestic blowing agent technology.

IICT project leader Punna Nagender said that HydroFluoro-Olefins (HFOs) represent a new generation of environmentally sustainable fluorinated chemicals. With zero ozone depletion potential and ultra-low global warming potential (GWP), HFO-based blowing agents are increasingly replacing conventional, high-GWP alternatives across industries. He said the global shift to HFO is being driven by stricter environmental regulations and growing demand for sustainable, high-performance materials.

IICT Director D. Srinivas Reddy said the institute has developed unique capabilities in fluorochemical research, including advanced fluorochemical synthesis, process development, scale-up and specialized infrastructure for the safe handling of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (HF), a key technology for next-generation fluorochemicals.

The collaboration would accelerate the development of indigenous blowing agent technology and reduce India’s dependence on imported specialty fluorinated chemicals, he said.

VSSC Director Rajeev UP noted that the Fluoroorganics Laboratory at IICT has dedicated R&D capabilities and specialized infrastructure for the safe handling of anhydrous HF, which is essential for the synthesis of next-generation environmentally friendly blowing agents.

Only a handful of labs have such specialized expertise, he said, adding that the collaborative program is expected to continue successfully towards commercialization with IICT’s technical support and process development expertise.

The directors of the two institutions at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram recently signed a memorandum of understanding formalizing the collaboration. The agreement marks the beginning of a strategic research program between two leading national institutions aimed at developing domestic technologies.

The IICT team included eminent scientists Nettem Choudary and Pravin Likhar, while the VSSC team comprising scientist Nallaperumal AM and other researchers, informed a press release on Tuesday.

Published – 21 Jul 2026 19:04 IST