IIT Roorkee and Laghu Udyog Bharti to Collaborate for Sustainable Product Innovation

Roorkee, Uttarakhand, April 24, 2026: Reinforcing its commitment to innovation-led sustainable development and industry collaboration, IIT Roorkee, through the Department of Design and SANCHAY - National Craft Based Resource Centre, in association with Laghu Udyog Bharti (LUB), Uttar Pradesh, organised a workshop on “Design Interventions in Wood and Plastic Products” at its Saharanpur Campus.
The workshop brought together industry leaders, academicians, and design experts to explore opportunities for product diversification, sustainable materials, and innovative design solutions, particularly in the domains of wood, handicrafts, and polymer-based products.
The event was inaugurated by distinguished representatives from Laghu Udyog Bharti, including Anupam Gupta (General Secretary, Meerut Division), Ankit Goyal (Divisional President), Rajesh Jain (Divisional General Secretary), Sudhakar Agarwal (Industrialist), Varun Agarwal (District President), and Rajesh Gupta (Convener), along with faculty members from IIT Roorkee, including Prof. Millie Pant, Dean, Saharanpur Campus; Prof. Apurbba Kumar Sharma, Head, Department of Design; Prof. Inderdeep Singh, Dean of Infrastructure; Prof. Smriti Saraswat, Coordinator, SANCHAY; and Prof. Sanjay Palsule. The inauguration was marked by the traditional lighting of the lamp and rendition of the Institute Kul-Geet.
Prof. Apurbba Kumar Sharma presented the academic and research ecosystem of the Department of Design, highlighting its B.Des., M.Des., and Ph.D. programmes, along with ongoing initiatives in design research, industrial consultancy, and future innovation pathways. He emphasised on the need for deeper academia-industry interactions, and invited the industry to utilise the vast resources and talent pool in IIT Roorkee for solving their problems through projects, internships, etc.
Prof. Inderdeep Singh elaborated on the role of the Design Innovation Centre and IIT Roorkee’s contributions under the aegis of the Ministry of MSME, emphasising various schemes and the strong potential for industry-academia collaboration with LUB.
Prof. Smriti Saraswat showcased work on product diversification, design development, and sustainable livelihoods, with a focus on wood and polymer-based products, handicrafts, and interior design. Prof. Sanjay Palsule presented advancements in sustainable plastic composite products through the Palsule Process, along with innovative product designs.
 “At IIT Roorkee, we are committed to fostering meaningful industry-academia partnerships that translate knowledge into impactful solutions. Initiatives like this not only promote sustainable design innovation but also contribute to strengthening local industries and advancing the vision of self-reliant India,” said Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee.
As part of the MoU between IIT Roorkee and Laghu Udyog Bharti, both institutions have outlined a roadmap for the commercialisation of wood, handicraft, and plastic-based products, aimed at enhancing market relevance and scalability.
Eminent industrialists from LUB, including Mayank Agarwal, Rajiv Chanana, Adesh Bindal, Som Goyal, and Shroya Jain, shared valuable industry perspectives during the workshop. Around forty representatives from small-scale industries participated, contributing to meaningful discussions on innovation and sustainability.
Students from IIT Roorkee, including postgraduate and doctoral scholars from the Departments of Design, Architecture and Planning, and Polymer Science, showcased their projects and prototypes, demonstrating the institute’s strong focus on interdisciplinary learning and applied research.
The workshop witnessed participation from around seventy attendees and facilitated constructive dialogue on advancing sustainable and innovative interventions in wood and plastic products, setting the stage for long-term collaboration between IIT Roorkee and industry stakeholders.
Aligned with national priorities such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Government of India’s push for MSME-led growth, the initiative also resonates strongly with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly responsible consumption and production, sustainable industrialisation, and livelihood generation. By integrating traditional craftsmanship with modern design and material innovation, the collaboration seeks to create environmentally responsible, economically viable, and socially impactful solutions.
Beyond institutional collaboration, such initiatives hold direct relevance for society at large by enabling the development of affordable, sustainable, and high-quality products that enhance everyday life while supporting local artisans, small industries, and employment generation. By bridging grassroots manufacturing with cutting-edge design and research, IIT Roorkee continues to contribute meaningfully to inclusive growth and a more sustainable future for all.