nanotech industrialisation plan

CII drafts 10-point nanotech industrialisation plan
New Delhi, Sept 21: Apex chamber CII on Sunday said the government and industry need to partner and propagate the use of nanotechnology, which is projected to become a one trillion dollar market by 2015.

CII has put together a 10-point action plan to empower Indian industry to come out with commercial nanotechnology products. The plan includes creating awareness, undertaking training and skill development, technology facilitation, networking and facilitating collaborative projects.

"It is important for the Indian industry to become part of the nanotechnology revolution, which is projected to become a trillion dollar market by 2015," it said.

The industry body has urged the government to establish a network of infrastructure facility to support the industry.

Facilities in institutes like IISc and IITs should be made available to the industry on a 'pay-per-use' basis.

A dedicated skill development initiative is required to support development of human resource and standards. Procedures must be developed and harmonised with international standards, it added.

The government should also set up a dedicated fund for commercialisation of nanotechnology products. "This could be in the form of soft loans, repayable after five years of sales at attractive interest rates," it said.

Nanotechnology development in India is at an early stage, it said adding that a lot still needs to be done before commercial nanotechnology products can be churned out by Indian industry.

"Most developed nations are investing heavily in nanotechnology research, realising its potential in societal and defence applications and India must join the race for the development of this clean and efficient technology," it said.