News

A New Chapter For Axtel

Axtel Industries enters the field of advanced cryogenic grinding technology through an exclusive technology licensing and transfer agreement with the Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, developed indigenously under Phase II of the Ministry of Heavy Industries Capital Goods Scheme.

IISc high-throughput thermoplastic powder production plant

A significant technology milestone for Axtel — and a new platform for growth.

This is more than the addition of another product to our portfolio. It is an opportunity to take the engineering, process, automation and project capabilities we have built over the years into a new and technically demanding market.

What has happened?

On 7 September 2026, Axtel has entered into a Technology Licensing Agreement with FSID, IISc for technology, know-how and intellectual property relating to Cryogenic Counter-Rotating Pin-Disc Impact Milling System, together with development and delivery of the associated prototype and technical support.

The agreement provides Axtel with an exclusive license to use the technology, know-how and IP for commercialization:

• World-class scientific partnership: the technology comes from IISc, India's premier research institution, through its industry interface FSID.
• Indigenous technology: the machinery and plant were developed indigenously under Phase II of the Ministry of Heavy Industries Capital Goods Scheme.
• A new technology platform: cryogenic processing, high-speed counter-rotating pin milling, cryogenic conveying and plant-level automation.
• A new market: polymers, rubbers, resins and other demanding materials, with applications in coatings, roto moulding, additive manufacturing, chemicals, pigments, pharma and food.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat: an opportunity to reduce dependence on imported high-end grinding equipment and specialty powders.

What makes the technology special?

Conventional grinding can struggle with materials that become soft, sticky or viscoelastic during size reduction. The IISc-developed approach uses cryogenic cooling to make such materials brittle before and during grinding, allowing them to be fractured into fine particles.

The core technology: Cryocontra Mill™

• Counter-rotating pin mill: both pin rows rotate, with speed and rotational direction adjustable.
• 100% Indian design: developed as a high-power, large-chamber counter-rotating pin mill.
• Multiple sizes: 160, 250, 400, 600 and 800 mm disc variants, for a range of throughputs.
• Cryogenic or non-cryogenic operation: giving the equipment a broad application range.
• High-speed operation: tip speeds up to 250 m/s.
• Fine grinding: particularly suited to technically demanding, sticky and greasy materials.

Where can this take Axtel?

The most exciting aspect is the breadth of applications. The platform is not limited to one material or one industry. It can become the foundation for a family of machines and complete processing systems.

Applications highlighted by IISc include thermoplastic powder coating, high-performance roto moulding, powder for textiles and 3D printing, pharma and food production.

Polymers & Rubbers	Fine powders from thermoplastics, polymers, co-polymers, resins and elastomers.
Powder Coatings	Thermoplastic powder coatings and related high-fineness applications.
Roto Moulding	Powders in the 250–500 micron range are identified for roto-moulding.
Additive Manufacturing	Polymer powders in the 20–100 micron range are identified for additive manufacturing.
Chemicals & Pigments	Fine grinding applications for pigments, pesticides and general chemical products.
Pharma & Food	Potential applications in fine grinding and powder processing where controlled, cool processing is valuable.

Import substitution opportunity: The Government of India notes significant imports of high-end grinding equipment and polymer powders into India. Axtel's ability to manufacture this class of equipment domestically creates the possibility of serving customers with an Indian technology and engineering solution.

Axtel has built its reputation by understanding difficult processing problems and converting that understanding into reliable industrial equipment and complete systems. This agreement gives us the opportunity to apply that same capability to a new class of materials and a new set of customers.

The significance is not only commercial. We are partnering with IISc to take an advanced, indigenously developed technology from the research and prototype stage towards industrial commercialization. That is exactly the bridge between Indian science and Indian industry that can create lasting technological capability.

About FSID: The Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) serves as the single-window interface for IISc to engage with industry, government and multiple funding agencies. It facilitates collaborative research, technology development and the execution of strategic programs. FSID connects IISc faculty, expertise and research infrastructure with national priorities and industrial requirements. It also supports technology transfer, product commercialization, deep-tech incubation and industry partnerships. Through these activities, FSID translates IISc’s scientific capabilities into meaningful economic, industrial and societal impact.

About IISc: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, is India’s premier institution for advanced scientific and technological research and education. Established in 1909, it is often regarded as the mother of India’s research institutions and has played a foundational role in shaping the country’s scientific ecosystem. IISc is consistently recognised among India’s top institutions for research, innovation and academic excellence. It conducts pioneering work across science, engineering, design and interdisciplinary fields. Through education, research translation and collaboration with industry and government, IISc contributes significantly to India’s technological, economic and societal development.