Chairman & Managing Director, Zydex Group
Education:
B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Nagpur University, India
M.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Detroit, USA
Ph.D. in Polymer Science & Engineering, Lehigh University, USA
Experience:
PPG Industries, Pittsburg USA
Chairman and Managing Director, Zydex Group
Dr. Ajay Ranka has had a long and illustrious career as a pioneer and innovator in the field of nanotechnology based solutions. His focus has always been the development of sustainable technologies for conservation and extension of the life of limited resources. A Ph.D in Polymer Science and Engineering, USA; Dr.Ranka founded Zydex Industries in 1997 as a textile chemicals company. With a growing workforce of 800+ employees, Zydex has today grown into a multi-division group of companies with interests in several verticals such as Roads, Agriculture, Waterproofing & Paints and a global footprint across more than 40 countries. Having developed 200+ revolutionary and world-class products and solutions across divisions, Zydex continues to innovate with its philosophy of conservation and sustainability.
Zydex has received various awards and accolades from prestigious institutions such as the IRF (International Roads Federation), CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), FGI (Federation of Gujarat Industries), Marico and Inc. India for its innovations and outstanding accomplishments in various fields. Moreover, Dr. Ranka serves as a board member for the IRF (International Road Federation) and has previously served as a member of the Technology Development Board (Govt. of India).
Dr. Ranka is also the founder-director of ‘Shashvat Vikas Prabodhan Parishad’, a NGO which is spearheading the village transformation in six tribal districts of Gujarat. The key development of chemical-free farming, improving the ability to learn among the tribal students and animal husbandry and its impact on Vedic kheti is the key program which is followed by this organization. He’s also the founder and movement for ‘Nayi Soch’ that imparts training to the teachers on ways to improve the ability to learn among the students, at all levels. There are specific programs that have been pursued and developed and more than 1000 teachers have been trained so far.
Another feather in his cap towards sustainable agriculture, is the development of the entire protocol under the ‘Prakalp Sanjivani’ program that allows the farmers to transit to chemical-free farming in one crop cycle, with improved yield and better quality at a reduced cost, by combining the Vedic kheti and the latest biotechnology principles.
He was also the chairman for the selection of the Vice Chancellor for Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, in the recent past.