IIIT-Bhubaneswar signs MoU with BIS to standardise the Indian material supply chain

In a strategic move fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and government, IIIT Bhubaneswar inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on January 30 2024. This pivotal partnership aims to cultivate substantial growth and mutual development through innovative research initiatives in the realms of standardisation, conformity assessment, and quality processes.

The collaboration between IIIT-Bhubaneswar and BIS holds significant promise for the aluminium industry, envisioning the establishment of pioneering standards for its diverse range of products.

What is the fundamental responsibility of this active collaboration? 

The joint efforts will focus on advancing research in standardisation, offering avenues for short-term educational programs, and enhancing infrastructure and laboratory facilities. Such initiatives are poised to elevate research, teaching, and education in fields pertinent to standardisation within the aluminium sector.

During the signing ceremony, Professor Ashish Ghosh, Director of IIIT Bhubaneswar, and A. K. Purohit, Director of the Bhubaneswar Branch, were present, while Dibyendu Chakrabarty, Scientist-G & Deputy Director-General, Eastern Region, joined the prestigious occasion online. Chakrabarty emphasised the growing necessity of such collaborations to generate awareness and interest in standardisation, citing successful partnerships with institutions like IIT Roorkee and IIT Kharagpur. Professor Ghosh highlighted the fresh perspectives young students can bring to these research areas, thereby enhancing knowledge production processes.

MRAI's 11th IMRC 2024 conference (Day 3) – Cross border policy and regulations 

During the Cross border policy and regulation session of MRAI's 11th IMRC 2024 conference (Day 3), Vishal Kumar Rana, Assistant Director and Scientist at MTD—8 of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), shed light on the objectives and initiatives of BIS in the realm of standardisation and certification.

Rana delineated BIS's journey since 2018, emphasising the pivotal role of recycling, particularly in addressing the criticality of copper. With a focus on mitigating the deficiency of this essential metal, Rana underscored the significance of recycling in meeting demand and ensuring sustainability. He stressed the importance of scrap collection and separation methodologies, highlighting their role in facilitating effective recycling practices.

Addressing misconceptions about BIS, Rana clarified that the organisation's mandate revolves around setting standards and conducting detailed audits to provide certifications. He dispelled rumours regarding adverse effects attributed to BIS, assuring stakeholders that the organisation's core functions will remain unchanged. Instead, BIS aims to standardise scrap practices to enhance efficiency and quality in recycling processes.

BIS and its extended protocols – What role does MRAI play? 

Rana elucidated the intense efforts undertaken in 2021 towards establishing standards for scrap, signalling a significant milestone in BIS's commitment to promoting sustainable practices within the recycling industry. He also announced that recyclers can anticipate receiving notifications from the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) regarding these standards, projecting a collaborative effort to streamline and elevate recycling practices.

Overall, Rana's insights underscored the pivotal role of BIS in standardisation and certification within the recycling industry, reaffirming its commitment to fostering sustainability and quality assurance in non-ferrous metal recycling processes.

Conclusive study of the alliance 

This MoU between IIIT Bhubaneswar and BIS marks a momentous partnership poised to contribute significantly to academia, industry, and society at large, particularly in shaping standards that can benefit the aluminium industry in setting benchmarks for its products.

Lastly, the collaboration between IIIT Bhubaneswar and BIS not only represents a milestone in fostering cooperation but also has the potential to effectively impact the aluminium industry by establishing robust standards for its products, thus ensuring quality and conformity.

Do you wish to learn more about the amazing world of aluminium, tap into AL Circle’s recently released report, Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2024.