The concept of holding an International Convention on Colorants was conceived by Prof. V. R. Kanetkar, Head of Dyestuff Technology Department, ICT (formerly UDCT) Late Mr. Ravindra Shah, President, Mr. Janak Mehta, First Vice President and Dr. Mohan Narsian of The Dyestuff Manufacturers Association of India (DMAI) in 2004. Members of DMAI and faculty of Dyestuff Technology Department welcomed this idea and organized the first International Convention on Colorants in February 2005, as a joint initiative of ICT (Institute of Chemical Technology, then UICT) and DMAI.
The first COC (COC 05) was held in the backdrop of a slight recession preceded by a period that saw spectacular growth. The shift of manufacturing of colorants from the West to the East was also underway. Newer applications of colorants other than textiles and leather were rapidly emerging and, in some cases, already established. The need for a forum wherein information and views on these developments could be discussed and shared amongst the colorants family was acutely felt. Objective was to gather experts, national and international, who would present their research and analysis to an audience mainly comprising of colorant manufacturers so that the latter could be made aware of the new developments in the manufacture and end-use of high performance colorants.
With the resounding success COC-05, Organizing Committee became more ambitious. COC-07 was thus a two and a half day affair and had Dr. R A Mashelkar, Director General — Council of Scientific and Industrial Research as the Chief Guest. As many as seventeen speakers, of whom eight were international, presented their research work and their expert views on a wide range of topics that included fluorescent labels for bioassays and imaging, novel hair dyes and organic photovoltaics etc.
COC-09 further enriched the colour family with presentations by eminent speakers on subjects like Green Chemistry, Functional Colorants, High Tech Applications and Advances in Conventional Colorants. Consumer industries’ necessities were very thoroughly deliberated in a Panel Discussion. The convention was attended by over 200 delegates, a well-balanced gathering from the Colorants field.
COC, being held every second year, is now an established and matured platform which attracts delegates from all over the world. (For COC 11, China Dyestuff Industry Association had arranged a delegation of twenty of its members). The Convention is generally a two full day event having 8 technical sessions with 14-15 renowned speakers presenting their research work. A poster session that offers a platform to students for showcasing their research work (held first time in COC-13), is now a regular COC feature.
COC 15 had addressed the issues related to the aspects of process intensification in colorants industry, newer developments in the functional colorants, surfactants for colorants, effluent control and a panel discussion featuring the legislation aspects will be the focus areas.
In the similar lines COC-17 and COC-19 had addressed various aspects like functional colorants, natural dyes, process and product safety, ecological and regulatory compliance, continuous azo dye manufacturing, Design of experiments, optimised unit operations, selective hydrogenation, optimised utility management, etc .
Several industries and academia have benefitted from the COC over the years by way of ideas in new processes, new products, effluent management, better and economic unit operation, and newer application of their colorants etc.
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