In conversation with Mr. Atil Parikh, CEO & Managing Director, 20 Microns Limited
Host: Hello, everyone, and welcome to Innovations That Colour the Future. Today’s episode is a very special one. Joining us today is someone who has been at the forefront of this transformation — Mr. Atil C. Parikh, CEO and Managing Director of 20 Microns Limited. Mr. Parikh, thank you so much for joining us today. It’s truly a pleasure to have you.
Mr. Atil C. Parikh: Thank you, Amit. It’s great to be here. I’m really happy to be part of this conversation.
Host: To start with, when we look at the polymer industry today, which application segments do you see driving the strongest demand for advanced mineral additives?
Mr. Atil C. Parikh: That’s a very relevant question. If we look at the market today, a few segments clearly stand out. Automotive continues to be a major driver, especially with the shift toward lightweight materials, better thermal performance, and now electric vehicles. With EV requirements like flame retardancy, heat resistance and dimensional stability becoming even more critical, mineral additives play a key role there.
Then we have infrastructure and construction. India is investing heavily in housing, sanitation, water supply and urban development, and all of this creates strong demand for polymer-based solutions. Electrical cables, power transmission, telecom networks and renewable energy are also growing rapidly, and here again performance requirements are very demanding. Even packaging, which has traditionally been cost-sensitive, is now evolving — performance and sustainability are becoming equally important. So overall, demand is being driven by performance expectations, not just volumes.
Host: That’s interesting. Sustainability has become a big conversation across industries. How has the increasing use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials changed the way customers think today?
Mr. Atil C. Parikh: Honestly, PCR has moved from being a nice-to-have to a must-have. Today brands are under pressure from regulations, from consumers and from their own sustainability commitments, so recycled content is no longer optional. But PCR comes with challenges — variation in quality, colour and consistency, supplier reliability, cost fluctuations.
Because of this, customers are now far more selective. They don’t just want a material, they want assurance. They are looking for partners who can provide consistency, traceability and technical support, especially in sensitive applications like food packaging. So expectations have clearly shifted from suppliers to solution partners.
Host: Alongside PCR, bio-based additives are also gaining attention. How do you see their role evolving in the coming years?
Mr. Atil C. Parikh: Bio-based additives are definitely becoming more important. When combined intelligently with mineral fillers they can deliver very interesting results — improved compatibility, better performance in compostable polymers, and support for biodegradable systems. Of course, challenges still exist: scalability, cost and feedstock consistency. But the direction is very clear. With supportive regulations, brand commitments and increasing awareness, bio-based solutions are slowly moving from niche to mainstream. They are no longer just experimental — they are becoming industrially viable.
Host: Nanotechnology has been discussed for many years. Where do you think the industry truly stands today?
Mr. Atil C. Parikh: Nanotechnology has finally crossed the bridge from research labs to real-world applications. At 20 Microns Nano Minerals we have successfully scaled nano clay, nano silicate and nano calcium carbonate — not just at pilot level, but commercially. These materials operate at extremely small sizes, typically between one and 100 nanometres, which gives them very high surface area and strong interaction with polymer chains.
What this means is that you get significant performance improvements at very low dosages. Earlier, dispersion was a challenge, but with advances in surface treatment and processing technologies those barriers are largely resolved today. So nanotechnology is no longer futuristic — it is very much present.
Host: Research and development seems to be a strong pillar at 20 Microns. How central is it to your growth strategy?
Mr. Atil C. Parikh: You are right. Research and development is absolutely core to who we are. It is not just a department, it is a mindset. Our teams include chemists, geologists, materials scientists and engineers who work very closely with customers. The focus is always on solving real problems, not just creating new materials.
Some recent examples include ultra-spherical talc for anti-blocking applications, nano-engineered calcium carbonate for better film clarity, delaminated nano-kaolin for rubber barrier properties, and advanced wax additives for processing efficiency. Every innovation is driven by application needs.
Host: Beyond research and development, are there operational philosophies that have shaped the journey of 20 Microns?
Mr. Atil C. Parikh: Yes. One philosophy we strongly believe in is continuous upgradation. On the shop floor, small improvements happen every day in quality, yield and energy efficiency. Operators are actively involved in problem solving, and there is a strong connection between manufacturing and research and development. This culture of continuous improvement is just as powerful as breakthrough innovation.
Host: AI is entering every industry today. How do you see its role in additives manufacturing?
Mr. Atil C. Parikh: AI is not replacing human intelligence, it is enhancing it. It helps us predict formulations, optimise processes and make faster, more informed decisions. But creativity, experience and intuition still come from people. So AI becomes a tool — a very powerful one — but human thinking remains at the centre.
Host: Looking ahead, what kind of breakthroughs do you expect in mineral additives over the next few years?
Mr. Atil C. Parikh: We will see more multi-functional additives — materials that deliver strength, barrier properties, flame retardancy and aesthetics together. Smart minerals that respond to external conditions will emerge, and sustainability will become deeply integrated from sourcing to end use. Most importantly, additive companies will move closer to customers, becoming true partners in design and innovation.
Host: Before we wrap up, what message would you like to share with young professionals and entrepreneurs?
Mr. Atil C. Parikh: Stay curious. Always question assumptions. Balance technical knowledge with human understanding — relationships matter. And remember, impact takes time. Resilience and consistency matter more than speed.
Host: Thank you so much, Mr. Parikh, for sharing your insights and vision with us today. To our listeners — this conversation reminds us that the future of materials isn’t just about innovation, it’s about how thoughtfully we use it. Stay tuned for more episodes of Innovations That Colour the Future.
Source: Episode #7 of Podcast series on “Innovations That Colour the Future” by 20 Microns Limited posted on their Linkedin Page recently.
You could also listen to the Podcast by clicking the below link:
#20micronslimited #FutureOfPolymers #leadershipTalk #PolymerInnovation #MDCEO #LeadershipPodcast #Sustainability #AdvancedMaterials #ManufacturingExcellence #Polymers #Polymerscience #Indianmanufacturing #CEOinsight #nanotechnology #investment #investors #20MicronsNanomineralslimited #finance #longterminvestment #MSME #Research #Podcast #minerals