CSIR Central Leather Research Institute in India gets a new leader today as Dr P Thanikaivelan steps in as the 15th director, succeeding Dr. K J Sreeram, who completed his 6 year tenure.
Dr Thanikaivelan is a leather technologist from Anna University where he finished his B Tech, M Tech & PhD. He joined CLRI in 2002 and rose to Chief Scientist and before becoming director he was the Head of the Advanced Materials Laboratory at CLRI
He specializes in clean leather processes including award winning waterless chrome tanning, advanced materials & plant based leather like materials.
His work in zero discharge tanning and biocatalytic processing earned him major recognition early in his career. In 2006 he received the CSIR Young Scientist Award for shifting traditional chemical tanning to cleaner biological pathways.
Over time he expanded his research into advanced materials by converting collagen waste into self doped carbon nanostructures for energy applications. He also focused on turning hide trimmings and shaving dust into high value products that reduce solid waste in tanneries.
More recently he helped create leather like materials from agro wastes which were transferred to two start ups for commercial production.
Dr. Thanikaivelan has published over 140 papers, holds 29 patents, some of his awards include the INAE Best PhD Thesis Award in 2004, the INAE Young Engineer Award in 2006, the CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology Award in 2016 & the VASVIK Industrial Research Award in 2021.
Related News: – Dr KJ Sreeram Takes Over Outstanding Scientist Position After Completing 6 Year Tenure as CSIR CLRI Director
