Godavari Biorefineries Limited (GBL) has received the ICC – K. V. Mariwala Award for Effective Chemical Industry–Academia Partnership at the 60th Annual ICC Awards 2025, held in Mumbai on 19 September. The company was jointly recognised along with the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai.
The award relates to a technology developed in collaboration with ICT that converts carbon dioxide into di-methyl ether (DME) through a single-step catalytic conversion process. DME can be used as a substitute for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and diesel, and also serves as a feedstock for chemical synthesis. The process uses biogenic carbon dioxide generated during GBL’s ethanol fermentation.
“We are honored to receive this recognition and extend our sincere thanks to the Indian Chemical Council. This award reflects our longstanding collaboration with ICT Mumbai—a valued partner in research, innovation, and knowledge creation. At GBL, we remain firmly committed to sustainability, renewable chemistry, and the principles of a circular economy,” said Samir Somaiya, Chairman and Managing Director of GBL.
At the awards seminar, the partnership between GBL and ICT Mumbai was presented by Ramnath Kadam, Senior Manager – Process Engineer at GBL, and G. D. Yadav, Emeritus Professor of Eminence at ICT Mumbai.
The ICC – K. V. Mariwala Award, instituted by the Indian Chemical Council, recognises collaborations between industry and academia that enable technology transfer, practical applications, and development of sustainable processes.
Godavari Biorefineries Limited, part of the Somaiya Group, operates integrated biorefineries specialising in bio-based chemicals, ethanol, and sugar and power production. The company has manufacturing facilities in Sakarwadi, Maharashtra, and Sameerwadi, Karnataka, and operates three R&D centres in Mumbai and its plant locations. It is listed on both the BSE and the NSE.
