DRDO transfers Copper-Titanium alloy technology to Pune-based startup

Under the aegis of the DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialization (ATAC) initiative, the DRDO concluded a technology-transfer process for its indigenously developed Copper-Titanium technology to Pahwa Metal Tech Private Limited (PMTPL), a Pune-based startup founded by industry veteran, Lalit Kumar Pahwa. The technology transfer exercise was completed coinciding with the launch of the ‘Startup India’ initiative by the Prime Minister of India on January 16, 2016, a MoU was exchanged between DRDO & PMTPL on the same day to start the technology transfer process. The process was now completed. The technology has been developed at the Defence Metallurgical Research Lab (DMRL), Hyderabad, premier DRDO lab on metallurgical research domain, and relates to a process of manufacturing of Copper Titanium alloy, using air induction and vacuum induction melting. The alloy thus made has non-sparking characteristics and possesses high strength and electrical conductivity comparable to existing Copper Beryllium (CuBe2) alloy alternatives. The application areas of the alloy are diverse and range from industrial machinery to aerospace. The successful completion of the technology transfer process shall enable an Indian startup to manufacture the alloy for the first time in India for global customer base. Speaking on the occasion, S Radhakrishnan, Director, Directorate of Industry Interface & Technology Management, DRDO, said, ‘The successful transfer of DRDO developed Copper-Titanium technology is a testament of the commercialization potential of research done at DMRL, DRDO’s premier research lab for metallurgy. With the successful completion of the technology transfer process, we are hopeful to see the technology being employed in wider application areas. The technology transfer shall enable the licensee, M/s Pahwa MetalTech Pvt Ltd, to manufacture the Copper-Titanium alloy for the first time in India." Lalit Kumar Pahwa noted, “As a startup, PMTPL is very excited and to launch this 'Made in India' technology for the world. We thank the DRDO, FICCI, ATAC programme and the teams at DMRL, DRDO and FICCI for their support in helping us come thus far. We are proud to launch an exciting technology that shall have application in several sectors of the economy and will contribute to the Make-in-India initiative of our PM.”