Date:19/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/19/stories/2004081902280300.htm

Back German nanotech cos looking for tie-ups in India

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Aug. 18

GERMAN nanotechnology companies are hunting for Indian customers for their products.

Representatives from nanotechnology companies such as NTC NanoTech Coatings GmbH and Nanogate Technologies GmbH and Thomas Oesterwinter KG are visiting the country and are slated to meet Indian companies in the ceramic, glass and automobile industries, among others, to introduce the application of nanotechnology.

Nanogate and NTC Nanotech have recently appointed an Indian company United Nanotechnologies as their distributor in India. Nanotechnology is a stream wherein the basic properties of materials are changed by working on very small units. Nanometre is one-billionth of a metre. NTC NanoTech Coatings GmbH is using nanotechnology to produce anti-corrosive coatings for metals. "These can be used in vehicle wheels, air conditioners, among others — wherever metals are used and there is danger of corrosion," said Dr George Warner, the company's director, at an interactive meeting organised by the CII.

Nanogate Technologies GmbH, meanwhile, makes chemical nanotech coatings for ceramics, glass, stone, marbles and textiles, which makes them resistant to dust, dirt, stain and scratch. In effect, these surfaces become easier to clean, explained Nanogate Technologies GmbH Head of Innovation, Dr Ralf Danzebrink.

Thomas Oesterwinter KG, meanwhile, makes available glass coatings that can be used in wind-shields of vehicles as a result of which, in case of rainfall, the water does not spread across the screen. "As a result of applying our coatings, drivers need not use wipers if it rains," said the company's Sales Director, Mr Matthias Oesterwinter. The company has tie-ups with Volkswagen and Audi in Germany as per which the customers get an option to buy the cars with these coatings. The United Nanotechnologies Director, Mr S.P. Bevinmarad, said it would consider setting up a research and development base here depending on the business generated. He, however, declined to name the companies with which they are in talks.