On the occasion of World Environment Day 2024, the Madras Management Association is organizing a seminar on the theme "Pathways to Carbon Neutrality: Sustainable Transformation of Industries & MSMEs In Tamil Nadu” on Thursday 6th June 2024. The seminar will focus on the pivotal role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and larger industries in Tamil Nadu's journey towards carbon neutrality. Recognizing the state's ambitious environmental goals, the event will bring together senior industry leaders, policymakers, environmental experts, and MSME representatives to discuss innovative strategies, share success stories, and identify collaborative opportunities for sustainable industrial growth and achieving a carbon-neutral Tamil Nadu. The seminar will feature addresses by eminent speakers, followed by lively interactive discussions to foster dialogue and exchange of ideas. Participants will gain insights into practical approaches for reducing carbon footprints, access resources for implementing sustainable practices, and network with key stakeholders committed to making Tamil Nadu a leader in the global sustainability movement.
Join us in our endeavour for a transformative journey towards a carbon-neutral Tamil Nadu, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
5:15 PM Registration & High Tea
6:00 PM Welcome Address & Opening Remarks
Mr S Seetharaman
Chairman
Super Auto Forge Pvt Ltd
Address by the Special Invitees
Mr Ravichandran Purushothaman
President - India Region
Danfoss Industries Pvt Ltd
Mr M Ponnuswami
Founder & Chairman, Pon Pure Chemical India Pvt Ltd
Co-Chairman, CII National MSME Council
Mr A R Unnikrishnan
Managing Director - Glass & Glass Solutions
Saint-Gobain India Pvt Ltd
In conversation with the Special Invitees Programme
Ms Anju Mary K
Director – Industry Affairs, Corporate Communications & Sustainability, Danfoss India Region
Q & A
Vote of Thanks 7:40 PM
Gp Capt R Vijayakumar (Retd), VSM
Executive Director, MMA
Profile
Mr Ravichandran Purushothaman
President - India Region
Danfoss Industries Pvt Ltd
Ravi is the President of Danfoss Industries Pvt Ltd a 100% subsidiary of the Leading family-owned Danish MNC Danfoss A/s HQ in Denmark since 2013.
Danfoss is a world leader in Mobile Hydraulics, Electrification, Cooling and Refrigeration , Drives and District Heating technologies. Prior to this role, Ravi was heading Danfoss Motion controls business Asia Pacific covering business which incl South Asia, Korea, Japan, Australia and NZ. He has been with Danfoss since 2002 and prior to that with Siemens in India, Germany in various roles ranging from Sales & Marketing, Strategy, General management and M&A
Ravi is also Member of Global management team, Board member and Global Mentor since 2013. Has been active in Energy and water, Food and Agri, Technology space supporting and mentoring several early stage start-ups in India in various roles.
Ravi works extensively in the area of Cooling, Energy efficiency. Decarbonization and food loss areas and represents several though leadership initiatives
He is an active member in Industry bodies, was Chairman of CII Chennai in 2014-15 and Chairman CII Tamilnadu 2017-18. He currently chairs CII Food and agriculture center of Excellence task force on Cold Supply chain logistics and chairs CII Green building center Energy efficiency council.
Ravi was the President of Madras Management Association during the year 2020-21.
Mr M Ponnuswami
Founder & Chairman, Pon Pure Chemical India Pvt Ltd Co-Chairman, CII National MSME Council
Mr.Ponnuswami hailing from an agricultural family based out of a remote village in Namakkal District of Tamil Nadu, India. He graduated in Chemistry in the year 1974 from PSG Arts College and at the age of 27 in 1981, he started the proprietary Concern “Pure Chemicals Co” with only two Employees. The concern has since then built the reputation of being one of the most preferred chemical supplier both in domestic and international markets.
BUSINESS VENTURES
Pon Pure Chemicals Group is engaged in the business of manufacturing, marketing and distribution of basic chemicals, specialty chemicals and lab chemicals having turnover of more than INR. 4500 Crs. The Group has 28 branches all over India and also has overseas subsidiaries in Australia, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Bangladesh with 1400+ employees and experienced professionals. With 13,000+ customers, the group has four manufacturing units in India and drumming units in Kandla SEZ. The Group has made continuous investments in Research & Development over the past decades, which accounts for their success and sustainable business growth. Presently, Pon Pure has significant presence in major industrial areas and in a number of emerging markets like personal & community hygiene products Vooki and in the ecommerce marketplace Ibuychemikals.com.
Profile (Contd)
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
“First Award”, “Trishul Award” and “Award of Excellency”
Received four CHEMEXCIL awards between 2015-2019 under the category of merchant exporters panel for outstanding export performance
Holds ICIS 16 rank in top 100 Chemical distributors in Asia Pacific and 54 rank globally
Three Star Export House holder issued by GOI / Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
Authorized Economic Operator – T3 Certified issued by Central Board of Excise and Customs.
PUBLIC POSITIONS
Co-Chairman - CII MSME National Council
Chairman - Committee on MSME & Ease of Doing Business – CII Southern Region
Past Chairman - CII, Tamilnadu
Appointed as TRUSTEE for Kandla Port Trust, Gujarat for the year 2004 to 2008
Member - Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority
Member - Kandla SEZ Authority
LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENTS
Awarded “Rashtriya Samman Patra” in 2000 by Central Board of Direct Taxes, Government of India, for being the Highest Income Tax Payer during the Assessment Years 1994 – 99.
Life Time Achievement Award – Saveetha University for the year 2016.
Awarded Distinguished Alumnus of PSG & Sons Charities on 91st Founders Day of PSG Institution for the year 2017.
Thozil Ratna Award by News7 Channel in the year 2018
Salute to Legends by Sri Krishna Sweets for the year 2019
Self-made entrepreneur award by Naanayam Vikatan for the year 2019.
Received Rasa Udyog Ratna award for the year 2020 from Chemical Industries Association.
nan
Managing Director - Glass & Glass Solutions
Saint-Gobain India Pvt Ltd
Starting his career with Grinwell Group which later became a SaintGobain company, Unnikrishnan has been playing an important role in the growth and leadership journey of Saint-Gobain's Glass Business in India
With rich experience of over 31 years in the industry, Unnikrishnan now is the Managing Director of Saint-Gobain India Pvt Ltd (Glass & Glass Solutions Business).
Apart from his professional role at Saint-Gobain, he is a thought leader across various fora in the areas of Sustainability and Policy development.He is Vice Chairman of CII Tamil Nadu State Council, immediate Past Chairman of CII Chennai Zone, Chairman of CII Green Product Council, Vice-President of Madras Management Association, past Chairman CII TN CEO Forum, Member of Indo-French Chamber of Commerce Governing Council, CII-National Manufacturing Council, Research Council of CSIR-CGCRI and Indian Green Building Council Executive Board.
Ms Anju Mary K
Profile
Director – Industry Affairs, Corporate Communications & Sustainability, Danfoss
India Region
In her current capacity, she functions as an advisory to the company ’ s top management and drives the Industry & Public Affairs, Communications, Branding, D&I, Human Rights, CSR & Sustainability related initiatives in the region. She works closely with industry bodies, central & state governments, academic institutions, media, and other stakeholders on several development projects. She also contributes to the local community supporting deserving causes in the areas of Sustainability, Education, Skill Development, Climate & Energy, Health, Gender & ESG.
With Commerce, Communication & Management studies from Madras University, IIM Lucknow & SHRM in her background, Anju has rich experience working with various organisations in India & abroad over the course of her 20+ years career till date. Standard Chartered, Star Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, UNHCR, Manipal Group, etc. were some of her previous employers, prior to joining Danfoss in 2012
She has been instrumental in shaping Danfoss’ brand identify in India and supporting the company ’ s ambitious business & people growth journey in the region over the last decade plus by successfully handling several leadership hats Her contributions are reflected in Danfoss India being recognised as The Economic Times Most Sustainable Organizatiions in India 2023 and winning Most Preferred Workplace in India Award for two consecutive years. She has been awarded the prestigious Golden Peacock Award by IOD, CSR Abroad Award by the Telangana and select industry bodies for her SR & Skill Development initiatives. Anju is also a public speaker, published author and a lyrics, who has shared her views on several Green Transition themes at multiple G20 B20 forums this year
A member of CII National Councils for Climate Change, food & Agri-Logistics and water, CII SR Sustainability & Climate Action Panel, CII TN Energy Efficiency Taskforce, CII Chennai Zone Core Committee, MMA Managing Committee, RAMA Skill Development Taskforce and multiple Working Groups of AEEE, ISHRAE, IDBA, etc., Anju she wishes to engineer a safe, empowered & sustainable tomorrow for future generations.
