Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and Secretary, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), New Delhi virtually inaugurated the “National Centre of Excellence for Green Firecrackers” at CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur and “Centre of Excellence for Green Firecrackers” at CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI), Karaikudi on December 02, 2025 from the event held at CSIR Madras Complex, Taramani, Chennai.

Indian fireworks manufacturing industries are major producers of firecrackers. In recent times, firecrackers that leave air and noise pollution raised a lot of environmental concerns. However, through lot of efforts, the CSIR has developed formulations of green firecrackers that release ~30-40% reduction in the particulate matter than the conventional crackers. CSIR through the “Harnessing Appropriate Rural Interventions and Technologies (HARIT)” programme worked to support the sustainability of Indian fireworks manufacturing industries through solving pollution issues with the usage of green crackers. CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur is the certifying institute to provide test reports for green firecrackers. In continuation of its contributions to Indian industries and society, CSIR inaugurated these CoEs at its constituent laboratories located at Nagpur and Karaikudi. These CoEs will provide service to meet out the requirements of firecracker raw materials characterization and standardization, testing and analysis along with R&D on developing new formulations for the fabrication of eco-friendly green firecrackers. The CoE at CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi will cater to the needs of fireworks manufacturers, particularly those in the southern region. This facility will be jointly operated by CSIR-NEERI and CSIR-CECRI.

During the virtual inauguration, Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR & Secretary, DSIR, New Delhi highlighted the role played by CSIR towards developing environmentally friendly firecrackers that supported several medium and small scale industries that provided livelihood to lakhs of people. She mentioned that the creation of CoEs at Nagpur and Karaikudi will further enhance the support of CSIR to industries across the nation.

The virtual inauguration was held at CSIR Madras Complex which hosts the extension centres of CSIR-CECRI and CSIR-NEERI, and few other CSIR labs. Dr. S. Venkata Mohan, Director, CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, in his initial remarks, briefly highlighted the contributions of CSIR-NEERI towards developing green firecrackers. Dr. K. Ramesha, Director, CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi, reinstated the need of developing the green firecrackers and the lab’s commitment to serve for the industries jointly with CSIR-NEERI through these CoEs. Shri. P. Ganesan, President, Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufactures' Association (TANFAMA) was present during the event and acknowledged the intervention of CSIR in sustaining the fireworks industries through green firecrackers.

Dr. K. J. Sreeram, Outstanding Scientist, CSIR-CLRI, Chennai and Dr. P. Thanikaivelan, Director, CSIR-CLRI, Chennai graced the occasion, and felicitated the initiative. Dr. Alok K. Paul, Scientist-In-Charge, CSIR-CECRI, Chennai Unit welcomed the dignitaries. Dr. J. Krupadam, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NEERI, Nagpure provided a brief overview of the R&D on green firecrackers. The event also included the release of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of CoEs. Dr. R. Sivacoumar, Scientist-In-Charge, CSIR-NEERI Chennai Zonal Centre proposed the vote of thanks.

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