Research & Development, Technology Development and Innovation

In order to sustain and enhance profitable growth, RIL aspires to become a developer of leading edge technologies and continues to be an efficient user of technology.

RIL intends to create world-class physical and intellectual capabilities, with some of the leading scientists bolstering its innovation agenda. The Company focuses its attention to fundamental R&D for sustainability of its business, advanced technical services, enhancing internal capability to develop basic engineering packages, and in building capabilities.

In refining, the focus areas include maximising light olefins yields from the fluidised catalytic cracker (FCC), improving propylene recovery in FCC; advanced characterisation of crude and evaluation of chemicals for desalting; increasing efficiency and reliability of refinery processes and enhancing process capabilities in coking technology to help widen the crude operating window.

In the petrochemicals area, the focus is on providing technology support to ensure efficient asset utilisation, development of specialty grades/materials, development of catalysts /additives for cost reduction, value addition to by-product streams, and leveraging opportunities at the chemicals/oil interface.

RIL is involved in some cutting-edge technologies like fuel cells, carbon fibres, bio-fuels, and gasification of several types of feedstocks. RIL is the sole industry partner in the New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) project on indigenous Fuel Cell Technology Development.

Some major ongoing/completed projects include:

• Selection of cost effective FCC catalysts and additives for improved conversion and yields.
• Propylene yield improvements.
• Benzene reduction in refining to promote clean fuel.
• Upgrading of bottom barrel through initiatives such as carbon black production, reduced conversion etc.
• De-salter operation improvements.
• Computational fluid dynamics for trouble shooting.
• Molecular compositional blending models.
• Polypropylene quality control.
• Polyolefin inorganic precursor technology development.
• High performance PP homo and copolymers.
• Development of high performance additives for polyolefins.
• Development of clarifiers for PP grades.
• High melt strength PP by post reactor route.
• Superabsorbent polymers.
• Bio-filtration process for effluent water treatment.
• Catalyst for selective dehydrogenation of C11-C14 nparaffins.
• Inhouse development and utilization of additives for cracker coking passivation.
• Development of oxygen barrier PET for beer packaging.
• Productivity enhancement through polymer modification.
• New co-catalyst systems for bottle-grade PET productivity enhancement.
• Development of anti-pill polyester, elastic polyester, low melt polyester, low cost flame retardant polyester, low antimony/antimony free polyester, and super micro denier polyester staple fiber.
• Development of low cost catalyst, additives and spin finish for polyester.
• Spinning productivity enhancement.
• Deep cut operation
• Revamption of coker unit and process of pitch.

Creation and protection of intellectual property (IP) for the Company continues to be an ongoing area of focus. RIL's portfolio for national and international patents is increasing in existing as well as new technology areas. As a part of our business transformation, RIL is adopting and implementing best in class business processes with stateof- the-art applications to enhance technical excellence.

Innovation

RIL aspires to be one of the most innovative companies in the world. The Reliance Innovation Leadership Centre designs, develops and deploys programmes in realizing this vision anchored around this agenda.

The Leading Expert Access Programme (LEAP) created a hat trick of Nobel Laureates' lectures. Prof Venki Ramakrishnane delivered the 13th Reliance LEAP lecture at the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL). In the past, LEAP speakers have included Nobel Laureates Prof Jean Marie Lehn and Prof Robert Grubbs. LEAP has been designed to inspire the RIL family through the life, work and experience of global innovation leaders.

Sustainable growth of any organisation has one important element- generation, exploitation and management of its IP. Last year saw a new energy in this domain through the structuring and institutionalising of the IP thrust area. The focus of the IP team is to transform the organisation from being an IP user to an IP creator. RIL's patent portfolio is on the upswing, both in quality and quantity terms including protection in overseas markets.