Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 16 (NationPress) In a pivotal move aimed at enhancing lab-to-market innovation, the CSIR–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR–NIIST) is poised to formalize several technology transfer agreements with industry collaborators during an event titled "CSIR-NIIST Tech Connect: From Lab to Market" at the CSIR Headquarters located in Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi on February 18, as confirmed by officials on Monday.

The laboratory, based in Thiruvananthapuram and part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), will be transferring a range of industry-ready technologies that include areas such as functional foods, sustainable materials, waste management, and post-harvest processing.

N. Kalaiselvi, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Secretary and CSIR Director General, will be the Chief Guest at this significant gathering.

The key innovation is a low glycaemic index (GI), protein- and micronutrient-rich "designer rice", devised to tackle India's challenges of metabolic disorders and hidden hunger.

This technology will be passed on to Tata Consumer Products and SS Soul Foods in Tamil Nadu.

Conventional polished white rice is often associated with spikes in postprandial glucose levels, contributing to the rise of Type-2 diabetes. The fortified variant not only boosts protein content but also moderates carbohydrate digestibility while providing essential micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12, all without changing dietary habits.

Two agreements related to this innovation will facilitate large-scale production and retail accessibility.

In addition to nutritional advancements, CSIR–NIIST will also transfer an innovative coffee crema technology that produces stable, enduring foam, a key sensory feature for the growing coffee and beverage sector.

From a materials science perspective, a bio-based cardanol polyol modified polyurethane dispersion will serve as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived binders, applicable in leather finishing and metal coatings.

To combat India's 30 to 40 percent post-harvest losses in horticulture, the institute will commercialize osmotic dehydrated fruit snacks and a ready-to-cook vegetable mix developed using Refrigerated Adsorption Dehumidified Dryer (RADD) technology, which enhances nutrient retention and extends shelf life.

In the realm of the circular economy, JAIVAM, an engineered microbiome for rapid aerobic composting, will be transferred post securing various industrial licenses and receiving approval from the Kerala Suchitwa Mission.

Additionally, two cactus-derived plant-based leather alternatives, which have already been commercialized through 15 transfers and four production facilities, will also be handed over, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable manufacturing.

The event will also feature the signing of a MoU for low-sodium salt formulations, including a hollow salt crystal technology capable of reducing sodium content by up to 86 percent while maintaining taste.

For CSIR–NIIST, this ceremony marks a broader strategic transition, positioning public research as a commercial innovation pipeline that aligns with nutrition security, sustainability, and health-oriented consumer markets.