CSIR-IMMT and CSIRO collaboration project as part of the India-Australia Critical Minerals Research Partnership

Bhubaneswar, 13 March 2025: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), through its constituent laboratory, the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR IMMT), has signed a research and development agreement with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, to investigate the recovery of titanium dioxide from titanium minerals and vanadium-bearing titanium minerals of Indian origin.The project was launched today with the exchange of signed project agreements by CSIR-IMMT and CSIRO at the Dr R.P. Das Centre for Hydro, Bio & Electrometallurgy, CSIR-IMMT.
The project collaboration will be led by CSIRO’s Dr. Goutam Kumar Das, Principal Research Scientist, and Dr. Kali Sanjay, Chief Scientist and Head of the Hydro, Bio, and Electrometallurgy Department at CSIR IMMT.
Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director, CSIR-IMMT expressing his gratitude, said, “This collaboration between CSIR-IMMT and CSIRO marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in critical minerals. Our expertise in mineral processing, combined with CSIRO’s cutting-edge research, will help unlock the potential of titanium and vanadium resources in India. By leveraging international partnerships, we are not only strengthening India’s mineral security but also advancing sustainable and innovative metallurgical technologies for the future.”
Dr. Goutam Das, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO, Australia, said, “CSIRO is proud to partner with CSIR-IMMT in this important initiative. Critical minerals such as titanium and vanadium are essential for modern industries, from aerospace to energy storage. Through this collaboration, we aim to develop sustainable extraction processes that maximize resource efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. The Indo-Australian partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to fostering resilient and secure supply chains for critical materials.”
Dr. Kali Sanjay, Head, Hydro, Bio & Electrometallurgy, CSIR-IMMT explained, “At CSIR-IMMT, we have been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for critical minerals processing. This partnership with CSIRO will further enhance our capabilities in titanium dioxide recovery and vanadium extraction. By harnessing advanced technologies, we aim to create efficient, eco-friendly processes that contribute to India’s industrial growth while aligning with global sustainability goals. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration that paves the way for groundbreaking developments in metallurgical sciences.”
Coordination will be managed by Dr. Joanne Loh, Group Leader – Critical Minerals Processing at CSIRO, and Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director of CSIR IMMT.
This joint project aims to develop further CSIRO’s innovative titanium/vanadium processing technology for extracting titanium and vanadium from ilmenite and vanadiferous magnetite ores, which are abundant in India and Australia.
Titanium and vanadium are classified as critical minerals in both countries. Titanium is widely used in metal alloys, while vanadium is also a key component in redox flow batteries, which are rechargeable and well-suited for large-scale energy storage.
The collaboration is funded by CSIRO’s India-Australia Critical Minerals Research Partnership, an initiative under the Australian Federal Government’s updated India Economic Strategy (IES) to 2035. This initiative focuses on developing sustainable and resilient supply chains for critical minerals and materials in both nations.
The project will advance the processing of Indian ores, potentially unlocking India’s vast titanium deposits—the third-largest in the world—while complementing CSIRO’s ongoing research on Australian deposits.