Late Shri D M. Trivedi Memorial Lecture

Shri D. M. Trivedi, popularly known to the professional community as DMT, was a pioneer in the Polymer and Chemical Industries in India.

Born on 11th April 1914, at Nadiad, Gujarat; he completed his B.Sc. at Baroda and joined for B.Sc. Tech at UDCT (2nd Batch) and subsequently also completed his M.Sc. Tech in Textile Technology in 1942.  He then joined DCM Chemicals at Delhi, followed by T. Maneklal and Kesar Sugar Works in Mumbai.  His big contribution came with bringing Dow Chemicals to India for the first-ever Thermoplastic Manufacturing plant, Polymechem Ltd. for Polystyrene in India in 1954/57.  This was followed by his leading build-up of the First Synthetic Rubber, Styrene Butadiene Rubber 30,000 MTA Capacity for Synthetic & Chemicals Ltd. At Bareilly in 1963/64.  This SBR plant was also the first major Chemical Complex in India, with technologies obtained from Firestone (for SBR), Union Carbide (for Styrene), and Hoechst (for Butadiene), all based on Ethanol, with Bechtel and Lummus being engineering contractors. S&C also pioneered the manufacture of Nitrile rubber, developed with NCL, Pune and ABS developed with Sriram Institute of Technology, New Delhi.  After retiring from S&C in 1977, DMT Joined as CEO of National Rayon, Mumbai, where he lead in the development of some

Agro-chemicals & Polypropylene melt-spun fiber for use as geo-textiles, along with NRC’s traditional products.  In the 1980s, he was an Advisor to Nirlon, GSFC, Gujchem, and a Director of Pace Polymer Technology almost till his passing away in 1995.

DMT was one of the most dynamic presidents of the Indian Chemicals Manufacturers Association (Now ICC) from 1967 to 1969 and remained an active member till last.  He was also a Charter Member and President of Rotary Club of Bombay West, Chairman of N. M. Tripathi Pvt. Ltd., a Law Books publishing company.

A Gandhian by temperament, he remained deeply committed to Chemical Industry contributing more than 100 articles on it, giving several important lectures, and advising those who sought his “Free, Frank & Fast” advice.  He was honored as one of the first Honorary Members of ICMA in 1977 and as a Distinguished UDCT Alumnus in 1992.  ICC also instituted in his honor two ICC D. M. Trivedi Lifetime Achievement Awards given yearly.  His struggles to bring Polymer Industry in India in 1950/60s resulted in reach dividend, once petrochemical Industries took roots in India from 1974 onwards.  These Endowment Lectures mark a worthy tribute to the pioneering spirit of DMT!