A Strategic Innovation Hub for Industrial Transformation
The Research Technology & Innovation Centre (RTIC) is Thermax’s dedicated R&D hub, focused on building scalable, clean technologies for energy transition and environmental sustainability. Building on a 30-year legacy of research and innovation, RTIC is accelerating the development of future-ready industrial solutions through domain expertise, collaborative innovation, and a strong focus on solving real-world challenges.
Pillars of Innovation
Targeted R&D initiatives designed to deliver
sustainable impact at scale
Carbon Capture and Upcycling
- Advancing indigenous, cost-effective carbon capture technologies tailored for scalable deployment.
- Transforming CO2 and its derivatives into high-value fuels, chemicals, and advanced materials, driving industrial decarbonisation.
- Leading innovation in circular carbon systems, enabling sustainable carbon reuse across sectors.
Green Hydrogen and Electrochemical Technologies
- Producing green hydrogen using renewable energy and industrial waste heat, optimising energy integration.
- Developing foundational technologies for a cost-effective hydrogen economy, from generation to end-use.
- Innovating in hydrogen storage, compression, and delivery, addressing key infrastructure challenges.
Biofuels and Bioprocessing
- Harnessing biomass and waste streams to produce clean, renewable fuels, reducing dependence on fossil sources.
- Engineering microbial platforms and biological foundries for efficient bioconversion and product diversification.
- Targeting both rural and urban waste ecosystems, enabling inclusive and decentralised biofuel production.
From Lab-Scale Innovation
to Market-Ready Impact
RTIC bridges the gap between emerging ideas and industrial-scale deployment through a uniquely integrated approach that combines:
Pilot-scale testing infrastructure to validate technologies under real-world conditions
Industry-focused, talent development enhanced by AI-driven tools and experiential learning
Advanced modeling & techno-economic analysis to guide scalable, cost-effective solutions
Tailored energy solutions that adapt to evolving market dynamics and sustainability goals
Strategic investments in next-generation lab infrastructure and generative AI, fueling continuous innovation
Co-creating With India’s Leading
Institutions (Collaborative Partnerships)
Collaborating to turn research into realityRTIC is partnering with leading institutions to accelerate the translation of breakthrough research into deployable technologies:
NCL Pune
Co-developing advanced electrolysers, desulphurisation processess, and CO2-to-fuel conversion technologies
IIT Delhi
Jointly advancing catalysis platforms for efficient CO2 conversion to methanol, targeting scalable industrial applications
HPCL
The MoU between HPCL and Thermax, signed at India Energy Week 2026 in Goa, establishes a strategic collaboration to accelerate India’s energy transition by jointly developing technologies in green hydrogen, carbon capture, and bio-based fuels. It focuses on HPCL’s patented HP-AEM electrolyser technology, CO2 capture solutions, and bio-pyrolysis oil processing, aligning with the “Make in India” vision.
Carbon Capture & Utilisation (CCU)
- RTIC is collaborating with IIT Delhi and the Department of Science & Technology on India’s first CO2-to-Methanol pilot plant in Pune.
- This project demonstrates conversion of captured CO2 into methanol, a pathway that can generate measurable carbon credits once commericialised.
- The MoU between Thermax and the Academic partner (IITD) has been signed and the project kicked off successfully and is under execution. Technology can be applied to sectors like steel, cement, and power.
- The indigenous technology development has garnered interest from various stakeholders, including Indian private corporations and PSUs, aiming to scale up coal-to-chemical projects. The successful demonstration of the CCU project, the company will have the opportunity to develop technology for converting CO2 into value-added products such as methanol, DME etc.
- Thermax has secured a biomass to methanol (5 TPD) project for Deendayal Port Authorities, Kandla. This is based on the syngas to methanol technology developed and demonstrated in 2022 as a part of the DST funded Coal to Methanol project.
Falling Film Evaporator (FFE)
A next-generation HX plate based falling film evaporator integrated with Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) has been developed for Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) applications for our Waster Water Division. The developed technology has been successfully demonstrated through an 8 KLD industrial PoC installed at Chemical Division Factory, Paudh, Raigad, Maharashtra.
MIRACLE
Capacitive Deionisation-Based Modular Water Filtration System
MIRACLE is an advanced electrochemical water treatment system designed for efficient ion removal from high TDS water. It delivers high recovery with low energy consumption, making it a compelling alternative to conventional desalination technologies.
Partnering India’s Energy Transition
RTIC stands at the heart of Thermax’s commitment to being a trusted partner in India’s energy transition. By delivering solutions that blend deep technical expertise, a strong sustainability ethos, and customer-centric innovation, RTIC is shaping a future where industries operate cleaner, smarter, and greener—driving meaningful progress toward net-zero goals.
Thermax Industrial Postdoctoral Scholars (TIPS)
In 2025, Thermax proudly announced the first cohort of the Thermax Industrial Postdoctoral Scholars (TIPS). This is a pioneering initiative conceptualised by RTIC to nurture postdoctoral talent and accelerate breakthroughs in energy transition and sustainable industrial innovation.
Let’s Build the
Future Together
We invite academic institutions, technology innovators, and sustainability-driven industries to collaborate with RTIC. Together, we can co-create scalable, high-impact solutions that accelerate the journey toward a net-zero future. Whether you're advancing clean technologies, pioneering new materials, or reimagining industrial processes—RTIC offers the platform, expertise, and vision to bring transformative ideas to life.
