Aether Industries Limited and Dow Chemical International Pvt Ltd (Dow India) have entered into a collaborative research program to develop advanced manufacturing technologies for silicone materials in India. The partnership brings together Aether’s expertise in specialty chemicals and process innovation with Dow’s global leadership in materials science, with the objective of accelerating indigenous technology development and strengthening the country’s capabilities in high-performance silicone manufacturing.
The joint research initiative will focus on creating innovative production technologies for silicones, a versatile class of advanced materials widely used across industries such as construction, transportation, electronics, healthcare, and personal care. As demand for silicone-based products continues to expand across multiple sectors, the collaboration is expected to support the development of locally driven manufacturing solutions capable of serving both domestic and international markets.
Research activities and pilot-scale technology development will be conducted at Aether Industries’ research and development and pilot facilities in Surat, Gujarat. The companies said the program represents a significant step toward enhancing India’s innovation ecosystem by promoting collaborative industrial research in the specialty chemicals sector.
Beyond research, the agreement establishes a framework for a long-term strategic relationship between the two organizations. Subject to successful technology development, the partnership also provides opportunities to commercialize the resulting innovations and scale manufacturing for industrial applications, supporting the growth of India’s advanced materials industry.
Dr. Aman Desai, Co-Founder and Director – Research and Operations at Aether Industries, said the collaboration reflects confidence in the company’s scientific capabilities and process development expertise. “We are pleased to partner with Dow on this important research initiative. By combining Aether’s strengths in chemistry and technology development with Dow’s extensive experience in silicone applications, we aim to create innovative manufacturing technologies that will support the growing demand for advanced silicone materials while establishing a long-term platform for future collaboration,” he said.
Brendy Lange, President of Dow Performance Materials & Coatings, said the partnership will strengthen the company’s ability to deliver materials science innovation closer to emerging growth markets. He noted that the combined expertise of both organizations is expected to accelerate technology development and provide differentiated silicone solutions for customers in India and international markets.
Dr Mukund Parthasarathy, Business Vice President of Research and Development at Dow Performance Materials & Coatings, said collaborative innovation can help transform scientific research into scalable manufacturing technologies that address evolving market requirements and create new business opportunities.
Siddhartha Ghosal, Country President of Dow India, added that India’s expanding demand for advanced materials presents significant opportunities for localized technology development. He said the collaboration will support innovation, enhance customer value, and improve access to high-performance silicone solutions across a broad range of industries while contributing to the growth of the country’s specialty chemicals sector.
Aether Industries is an Indian specialty chemicals company focused on the manufacture of advanced intermediates and high-value specialty chemicals used across pharmaceutical, agrochemical, material science and other industrial applications. The company operates integrated manufacturing facilities and emphasises research and development, process innovation and custom manufacturing capabilities, serving both domestic and international customers.
Dow India is the Indian operations of Dow, a global materials science company that provides technology-driven solutions and specialty materials for industries including packaging, infrastructure, mobility, consumer products and industrial applications. Dow India works with customers and partners to develop innovative materials and solutions, with a focus on sustainability, circularity, resource efficiency and advancing the performance of products and manufacturing processes.
