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Simon India Partners with CSIR-NML to Advance Rare Earth Extraction from Industrial Waste

Simon India has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSIR–National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML), Jamshedpur, to jointly develop and commercialise technologies aimed at extracting rare earth elements from industrial waste. The collaboration is focused on scaling these solutions for industrial deployment while strengthening India’s resource self-reliance.

The partnership combines CSIR-NML’s scientific research expertise with Simon India’s engineering and execution capabilities, enabling a smoother transition of technologies from laboratory and pilot stages to full-scale industrial application. This effort is expected to bridge a key gap in the innovation cycle and accelerate the commercialisation of indigenous technologies.

Rare earth elements play a critical role in sectors such as clean energy, electronics, mobility, and advanced manufacturing. However, with global supply chains concentrated in limited regions, building domestic capabilities has become increasingly important. This initiative aims to address that challenge by developing efficient methods to recover these elements from secondary resources and industrial waste streams.

Under the agreement, both organisations will collaborate on joint research and development, pilot testing, process optimisation, and large-scale implementation. A structured governance model, including a Joint Steering Committee, will guide the project. The partnership will also promote capacity building, industry-academia collaboration, and opportunities for technology transfer and intellectual property creation.

Athar Shahab, Chairman of Simon India, highlighted that achieving technological self-reliance requires not only innovation but also the ability to scale it effectively. He emphasised that this collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to transforming research into practical industrial solutions, particularly in critical sectors like rare earths and sustainable materials.

Aashutosh Aggarwal, CEO of Simon India, noted that the company’s strength lies in converting proven research into scalable engineering solutions. He added that the partnership enhances their ability to commercialise emerging technologies and positions India to compete globally in the rare earth recovery space.

Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury, Director at CSIR-NML, stated that the organisation has been actively developing advanced processes for extracting critical materials. He remarked that working with Simon India will help take these technologies beyond pilot stages and into real-world industrial use, creating tangible impact.

The MoU, valid for five years, also outlines a framework for joint intellectual property development, including clear pathways for ownership, licensing, and commercialisation. Overall, the agreement reflects a long-term commitment to advancing sustainable industrial practices, supporting circular economy initiatives, and enhancing India’s strategic resource security.