Day 2 - National Symposium on Polymer Science Highlights Sustainability and Innovation at KLE Tech
National Symposium on “Recent Advances in Polymer Science and Emerging Multifunctional Polymeric Materials” was organized at the KLE Technological University Auditorium, Hubballi, as part of the ongoing 44th Annual National Conference of the Indian Council of Chemists (ICC). The symposium was organized by the School of Advanced Sciences, KLE Technological University.
Prof. Tejraj Aminabhavi, Director of Research, Center for Energy and Environment, KLE Technological University, presided over the symposium. In his address, Prof. Aminabhavi emphasized that polymer science is no longer a stand-alone academic field but is now intrinsically linked to sustainability, circular economy, advanced materials, membranes, and energy-related applications.
Highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the symposium, he introduced the technical themes of the sessions, which included advanced polymer technologies, functional macromolecular architectures, controlled radical polymerisation, and bituminous materials as an emerging polymer domain.
Chief Guest and Plenary Speaker, Dr. Virendra K. Gupta, Senior Vice President – R&D (Polymers), Reliance Industries Ltd., Mumbai, described polymer science as a multidisciplinary field, integrating chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering. He noted the remarkable global growth in polymer demand—from 400 million tonnes currently to an expected 1200 million tonnes by 2050. While acknowledging the public concerns about polymers’ environmental impact, he emphasized the growing shift toward recycling, circular material design, and sustainable polymer technologies.
Delivering the Guest of Honour address, Prof. Anand Halageri from Poornaprajna Institute of Scientific Research, Bengaluru, traced the historical evolution of polymer science in India, beginning with the formation of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited (IPCL) in the post-1970s era. He highlighted India’s journey from dependency on imported polymers to becoming a significant global player in polymer production and export. The symposium also featured technical talks by leading scientists including, Prof. Suryasarathi Bose, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Dr. A.V.S. Sainath and Dr. S. Sridhar, CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad
Prof. Pannaru Venkatesu, University of Delhi, The speakers underscored the need for green innovations, industrial scalability, and material circularity in polymer science.
The event witnessed participation from faculty, research scholars, and students across disciplines. The symposium concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Ranjit Verma, President, Indian Council of Chemists.