PUNE, India — The Washington-based Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) announced that Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, founder and Executive Chairman of Praj Industries, has been selected for the 2020 George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology and Agriculture. He is the first Indian and second Asian recipient of this global honor. Dr. Chaudhari was honored during a fireside chat at the BIO IMPACT Digital Ag & Environment Conference, on Sept. 22, 2020. 

BIO, a trade association of biotechnology with a presence in over 30 countries, instituted the award with the help of Iowa Biotechnology Association (Iowa BIO). Beginning in 2008, The George Washington Carver Award, named after the agricultural scientist, inventor and environmentalist, is the highest recognition for outstanding contribution in the Industrial Biotechnology sector worldwide.

The award recognizes Dr. Chaudhari’s exemplary leadership and contribution towards building a bio-based economy. His entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering endeavors have helped establish a sustainable eco-system in industrial biotechnology.  Dr. Chaudhari’s efforts in environmental science, bio-refining and developing bio-based products that enhance rural economy are seen as a furtherance of Carver’s legacy.

“The BIO IMPACT award winner represents leadership in advancing the bio-economy,” said Stephanie Batchelor, Vice President of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section. “Pramod’s vision has shown biotechnology’s vast potential in solving ever-increasing challenges — from the current coronavirus pandemic to addressing climate change to establishing an economy cantered around sustainability. I’m proud to recognize him with this extraordinary honor.”

As a recipient of the award, Dr. Chaudhari joins an elite club of renowned industry captains, distinguished professors, accomplished government officials and agri experts around the world. The award reaffirms India’s technology abilities while acknowledging Dr. Chaudhari as the global brand ambassador for the industry. 

“I am honored to accept this award and feel humbled that my work in the bio-economy resonates the pioneering spirit of George Washington Carver. This recognition is testament to 35 years of sustained efforts towards the causes of innovation and technology. My passion for planet, people and prosperity has led team Praj to derive value from agri-processing and support the rural economy by offering sustainable end-to-end solutions. I dedicate this award to the focused endeavors by team Praj and everyone across the world who directly and indirectly participated in the journey to nurture a sustainable future,” said Dr. Chaudhari.

The annual Carver award serves as a lasting memorial to the vision of George Washington Carver who, over a century ago, pioneered bio-based products, materials and energy derived from renewable agricultural feedstock.

Praj, one of India’s most accomplished process engineering companies in the bio-economy, is driven by innovation and integration capabilities. Over the past three decades, Praj has focused on the environment, energy and agri-process industry, with over 750 customer references spanning 75 countries across 5 continents.

Bio-mobility™ and Bio-Prism™ are the mainstays of Praj’s contribution to the global bio-economy. The bio-mobility platform offers technology solutions globally to produce renewable transportation fuel, thus ensuring sustainable decarbonization through circular bio-economy. The company’s Bio-Prism portfolio is comprised of renewable chemicals and materials solutions, promises sustainability, while reimagining nature.