Product Background
It represents a strategically significant technology developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with an explicit roadmap for dual-use commercialization and civilian deployment. The innovation gained policy-level visibility, being formally referenced in an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha in 2016, underscoring its national importance.
As highlighted in a news article dated 21.01.2016, the technology was identified for downstream application in advanced thermal insulation systems for Indian Army clothing and equipment, aligning with the broader Make in India initiative.
Further technical context is provided in a The Economic Times article dated 03.04.2016, which discusses the development of silica aerogel—a highly porous, ultra-low-density material characterized by exceptional thermal insulation properties. K. Sivan, then Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), emphasized the translational potential of such advanced materials:
Silica Aerogel
Silica aerogel is recognized as one of the lightest solid materials globally and exhibits industry-leading thermal insulation performance due to its अत्यल्प घनत्व and nano-porous संरचना. Originally developed in the United States, this advanced material has strong disruptive potential across the global insulation industry.
In India, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) indigenously developed silica aerogel technology and has successfully deployed it in critical aerospace applications, including thermal insulation systems for Chandrayaan missions and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) launch vehicles, typically in the form of flexible silica aerogel sheets.
We have secured a formal Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement from NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), enabling us to industrialize and commercialize this innovation. The product will be introduced under a co-branded framework in association with ISRO, reinforcing its technological credibility and origin.
To facilitate technology absorption and application engineering, we established a dedicated R&D laboratory in Howrah in 2021. This facility focuses on adapting the core aerogel technology for scalable, industry-specific use cases. The entire R&D investment to date has been self-funded, exceeding INR 1 crore.
Notably, the Indian Navy has already conducted trials using imported (U.S.-manufactured) aerogel-based insulation systems and has expressed strong interest in deployment, contingent upon availability of an indigenous, “Made in India” solution—positioning this initiative as a strategic import substitution opportunity.
Silica Aerogel Sheets/Blankets
Usage:
- Pipelines
- Equipment insulation
- Refineries
Specifications:
- Thickness: 5mm / 10mm / 20mm
- Temperature resistance: Up to 650°C
- Flexible & lightweight
Silica Aerogel Powder
Usage:
- Paints & coatings
- Thermal fillers
- Industrial insulation
Specifications:
- Thermal conductivity: ~0.018–0.023 W/mK
- Density: Low
- Hydrophobic
Applications
- Paint industry- to achieve temperature difference of up to 7 degrees from outside
- Layer in the sole of shoes for high altitude uses
- Navy- All pipelines of ships; will increase longevity while also reducing costs
- Thermal plants/ boiler pipes, where high insulation is needed
- Layer on the tents/ roofs of homes at high altitudes; especially temporary tent camps set up for army