Leadership Discussions

Registration & Networking

Introduction

Panel Discussion

Beyond Foam: Expanding Horizons of Polyurethane – High-Impact Applications Across Industries

Polyurethane continues to evolve far beyond traditional foam applications, emerging as a critical material across a wide range of high-performance and high-growth industries. This session will explore how PU and TPU technologies are enabling innovation in sectors such as automotive and transportation, industrial systems, infrastructure, consumer goods, and healthcare.

From enhancing durability and efficiency in hoses, tubing, and conveyor systems to advancing safety and performance in wires & cables, coatings, and medical devices, the discussion will highlight the versatility and adaptability of polyurethane chemistry. The session will also touch upon emerging opportunities in footwear, adhesives, and over molding, where design flexibility and material performance are key differentiators.

Bringing together material suppliers, manufacturers, and end users, this session aims to provide a comprehensive view of current applications, evolving industry requirements, and future growth avenues for polyurethane across diverse sectors.

Confirmed Speakers:
• Ved Pandey – Director | Head R&D, Haier Appliances India
• Yash Solanki – Business Unit Leader (Production Process Leader) - Polymer Hard Products & Electronics, Decathlon
• Dr Devi Ramamoorthy, Ph.D - Chief Executive Officer, ThaalChemy Innovations
• Manoj Shankar - R&D Division Lab Leader Industrial Adhesives & Tapes India Region, 3M India
• Ravi Govardhan - Business Head, Performance Materials, ARDIV Group
• Nitin Kolekar - Managing Director, Aryanvi PU Solutions
• M. T. P. Mohamed Kunhi - Managing Director, Sulfex Sleep Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
• Sagar Srivastava - Lead, Rigid Polyurethanes [Systems] - Tailored Urethanes, Covestro (India) Pvt. Ltd
• Piyush Malani - National Head - Infrastructure Development (Cold Storage, Automation) & Sustainability, Parekh Integrated Services Pvt. Ltd

Moderator:
Steven Pacitti - Editor, Urethanes Technology International

Lunch Break

Panel Discussion

The New Flexible Foam Playbook: Performance, Profitability & Sustainability

Today's flexible foam market demands more than incremental improvements. Manufacturers must deliver superior comfort while managing volatile input costs and accelerating sustainability goals. This interactive roundtable examines the strategies, innovations, and partnerships helping businesses stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Confirmed Speakers:
• Siddhant Chaurasia - Head - Business Development, COMPHY Pillows & Mattresses
• Atul Kumar - General Manager, Real Innerspring Tech. Pvt Ltd (King Koil)
• Gracy Sharma - Analyst; IAL Consultants- A Division of BRG Enterprise Solutions Ltd.
• Nikeshkumar Shah - Senior Sales Manager – Performance Material (TDI/PET LC), Covestro (India) Pvt. Ltd

Moderator:
Steven Pacitti - Editor, Urethanes Technology International

Closing Remarks for Day 1

Registration & Networking

Introduction

Presentation

Reducing K-Factor Value in Insulation Foam Through New Formulations

Confirmed Speaker:
• Frank Liu, Technical Support LEADER, Asia Pacific, Nanjing Hongbaoli Ltd

Panel Discussion

Insulation Wars: The Battle for High-Performance Building Insulation Materials

From thermal performance and fire safety to cost, durability, and sustainability, every insulation material claims an advantage. But which solutions truly deliver long-term value? This roundtable brings together architects, builders, material suppliers, and industry leaders to debate the strengths, limitations, and future role of polyurethane in next-generation construction.

Confirmed Speakers:
• Rajkumar Jogdankar – Zonal Quality Head - MMR, Godrej Properties
• Dr. Rajesh Singh - Head - Research & Development, UltraTech Cement - Birla White
• Frank Liu, Technical Support LEADER, Asia Pacific, Nanjing Hongbaoli Ltd
• Dr. Sachin Gupte – Head Technical – Green Buildings, Pidilite
• Ar. Prashant Deshmukh - Principal Architect, PDA, Prashant Deshmukh & Associates
• Sanjay Chowdhury - Vice President and Business Head, Berger Paints India Limited
• Apoorva Shah - Industry Consultant, PU Foam, Insulation, Fireproofing & Pre-insulated Pipes
• R. Vivekanandan – Sr VP – Continuous Sandwich Panels, Ice Make India

Moderator:
Nilesh Sonawane - Country leader and Director, Owens Corning Insulation (India) Pvt Ltd

Lunch Break

Panel Discussion

Made for the World: Building India's Next-Generation Footwear Industry

With global brands seeking agile, innovative, and sustainable manufacturing partners, India has a unique opportunity to strengthen its position in the global footwear value chain. This roundtable explores how advanced materials, polyurethane innovations, digital manufacturing, and circularity can help manufacturers deliver world-class performance while achieving cost and sustainability goals.

Confirmed Speakers:
• Anupam Bansal - Executive Director, Liberty Shoes Ltd
• Toshit Dhawan – President – Business Development, YZ Buyer International
• Sanjay Gupta - President - Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association - IFCOMA
• Snigdha Agrawal - Founder & Footwear Strategist, The FootReplica | Founder, growkix
• Ajay Gaur – Director, Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association – IFCOMA
• Dr Debarati Ghosh Banerjee - Business Head, Henkel Adhesives Limited

Moderator:
Noor E. Shama - Analyst; IAL Consultants- A Division of BRG Enterprise Solutions Ltd

Closing Remarks for Day 2

Registration & Networking

Introduction

Panel Discussion

Mission Ready: Advanced Polyurethane & Foam Solutions for Defense Innovation

Advanced materials are redefining defense capabilities by delivering lighter, stronger, and more resilient solutions across land, air, and naval platforms. This interactive roundtable brings together defense manufacturers, material innovators, technology providers, and policymakers to explore how polyurethane and advanced foam technologies are enabling enhanced protection, thermal and acoustic management, energy absorption, lightweighting, and mission-critical performance.

The discussion will also examine pathways to accelerate innovation, qualification, and indigenous manufacturing in support of India's growing defense ecosystem.

Confirmed Speakers:
• Dr Bikash Chandra Chakraborty - Consultant IDST, Pune (for DRDO Projects)
• Dr Umasankar Patro - Associate Professor, Defense Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) Pune
• Jayant Khadilkar - Chairman, IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Navi Mumbai Committee
• S J RAO - Vice President –Defence & New Projects, Garware Technical Fibres

Closing Remarks for Day 3