Praj

History

Praj was formed in 1983. The company went public in 1994 and is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India. Praj received its first Venture Capital from ICICI Bank in 1987. Today it has investors like Venture Capitalist Vinod Khosla who has a 10% stake and Marubeni Corporation. Praj Foundation was established in 2005 as the CSR wing which is managed by Piramal Chaudhari.

Business Divisions

The company deals with segments like Alcohol / Fuel Ethanol and Brewery Plants, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants, Critical Process Equipment System, High Purity Systems, BioProducts (Livestock Health and Nutrition Products), and Customised Research Service & Solutions.

Subsidiaries & Acquisitions

The company's acquisitions include - Praj HiPurity Systems Limited (erstwhile Neela Systems Ltd), Praj Americas. Inc, Praj Far East Co. Ltd., Praj Industries (Africa) Pty. Ltd., Praj Far East Philippines Ltd. Inc., Praj Industries (Tanzania) Ltd. {subsidiary of Praj Industries (Africa) Pty. Ltd.}, Praj Industries (Sierra Leone) Ltd. (subsidiary of Praj Industries (Africa) Pty Ltd., Praj sur America SRL, Praj Engineering & Infra Ltd.

Awards & Recognition

1. Praj was awarded the National Award for outstanding In-House R&D Achievements by DSIR in 2005.

1. Praj was awarded the "Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises|ABLE 10th anniversary award" under bio-industrial category for contribution to industrial biotechnology.
2. Praj Tower received ‘Platinum’ LEED Certification from IGBC.
3. Praj Bags B.G. Deshmukh CSR Innovation Award
4. Praj received ‘Solar Energy Society of India (SESI) Business Leadership Award’ at the ICORE 2005
5. Mr. Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman, Praj Industries was awarded with the IIT Mumbai Distinguished Service Award in 2015
6. Mr. Pramod Chaudhari was awarded the 'Outstanding Innovation' award by Chemtech Foundation for leading Praj into developing innovative technologies.
7. Praj was awarded Forbes Best Under A Billion Company in Asia
8. Mr. Pramod Chaudhari to Chair CII's National Committee on Bio-Energy (2016–17) for the 3rd Consecutive Year.

Industry Innovations

1. Launched the ‘Water Master Class’ knowledge forum in Chennai that aims at sharing industry experts’ experience in water & wastewater management and treatment of complex industrial effluents.
2. Licensing and Joint Development Agreements With Gevo
3. Develops innovative method to produce Ethanol Matrix, the R&D Center (division of Praj Industries) is based on the foundation of scientific expertise and technology development. Located in Pune (India), Praj Matrix is organized around the 5 major Centers of Excellence. Molecular Biology and Microbiology; Bioprocess Technology Analytical Sciences; Chemical Sciences; and Scale up and Process engineering. It is supported by over 100 technologists including 20 PhDs.
4. Introduced ‘BioWiz’ Smart Bioreactor.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Praj Foundation is the CSR arm of PRAJ Industries Limited, established in 2004.

1. Environmental Initiatives that include Ecological Restoration of streams, Environment awareness & conservation, Decentralised Waste Management and Afforestation project
2. Health Initiatives focussing on Preventive health care of women & children
3. Educational Initiatives that include Support to Livelihood Advanced Business School and Supplementary education for children
4. Art and Cultural Initiatives like Ruturang Musical concert performed by the blind girls from Pune Blind School
5. Activities undertaken internally like Energy conservation, Mobility, Use of recycled papers and Green family competition.