Samir Somaiya Becomes First Indian to Receive the Plinio Nastari Sugar Excellence Award

Samir Shantilal Somaiya, Chairman and Managing Director of Godavari Biorefineries (GBL), has received the Plinio Nastari Sugar Excellence Award from the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) at the 34th ISO International Seminar in Westminster, London. The award was instituted by ISO, under the theme “Sustainable Solutions for Sugar & Energy”, to recognise outstanding achievement in the world of sugar & bioenergy. He is the first Indian to receive this recognition, marking a key moment for India’s sugar, ethanol and bioenergy sectors on the global stage.

At the ceremony, Mr Somaiya reflected on the link between economic progress and social development, referencing the legacy of his grandfather, who established the Somaiya family’s first school in 1942 to ensure education advanced alongside industry. He highlighted the importance of soil health, agricultural ecosystems and farmer livelihoods in shaping a sustainable future, underscoring that the green transition is essential both for climate goals and for securing incomes for small farmers. 

He added, “Today, the green transition is essential to mitigate climate change, and in countries like ours with so many small farmers, it directly strengthens their income security and long-term resilience. I am humbled to receive this award on behalf of my company, my organisation and my country. My grandfather and father taught me that business is an agent of social change — that financial growth must move together with social and environmental progress. I love the world we are in: the smell of the earth in the morning, the sweetness and smiles that sugar brings to our lives. It is our duty to ensure the world we pass on remains sustainable, inclusive and as (if not more) beautiful as we found it.”

Under his leadership, GBL has developed one of India’s most integrated biorefining ecosystems, combining agriculture, green chemistry, renewable energy and rural development. The company works with more than 20,000 farmers across 200+ villages to improve yields, strengthen climate resilience and support regenerative cultivation.

Key recent initiatives and recognitions under his leadership include:

• Commissioning a multi-purpose speciality bio-chemical plant in Maharashtra to produce renewable, bio-based ingredients used across coatings, resins, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and fragrances.
• Strengthening biotechnology through Sathgen Therapeutics, including advanced research on therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers and the establishment of Sathgen Therapeutics LLC in Princeton, USA, for global collaboration. 
• Launching the CO₂-to-DME pilot plant with ICT Mumbai, a scalable pathway to converting industrial emissions into clean fuel and chemical feedstock.

Mr Somaiya was also awarded the Rasayan Udyog Ratna Award by the Indian Chemical Society for his contributions to sustainable chemistry.

These initiatives reflect a leadership approach rooted in scientific depth, farmer-focused development and alignment with India’s renewable-energy and bioeconomy priorities.