From the CEO’s Desk

As a Godrej company, Astec LifeSciences Ltd has strived to live up to the values espoused by our parent group – a formidable and respected name both in India and in the global market. We continue abide by the core principles of Trust, Transparency and Agility that position us as a leading company in the chemicals industry.

This means upholding the highest standards of personal and business integrity, a commitment to adding value to our customers' business, and ensuring that we address both their current and future needs through innovation and bold bets on new products which are not just diversified but sustainable.

Our new state-of-the-art R&D centre and pilot plant further uphold our commitment to work as an exclusive and trusted partner for companies across the world, and support them in creating and growing new product offerings that meet the most stringent global quality standards.

For this, we have been expanding and strengthening our CDMO portfolio and ramping up capabilities across the value chain to better align with emerging market demands. Our intent is to serve customers through a model of manufacturing that is reliable, efficient and accountable, while conforming to best-in-class 'green' practices that are informed by the Godrej Group's 'good and green' philosophy.

In our journey to be a strategically-driven, custom manufacturing company of choice in the chemicals industry, we have been ensuring that our approach to doing business is world-class, as well. This includes instituting rigorous workplace safety policies, nurturing a diverse and collaborative culture, minimising the environmental impact of our actions, and working relentlessly to uplift and positively impact the communities living around our operating facilities.

Importantly, Astec continues to be steered by leaders who bring decades of industry experience and insights to bear on our current strategy and on its future direction. This, along with a strong and dedicated management team, and an experienced R&D and technology team, are helping make the company a force to reckon with in the global chemicals market.

We welcome you to engage with us and explore new opportunities to build profitable and enduring relationships.

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Anurag Roy

Whole – Time Director & Chief Executive Officer

Board of Directors

A company is known by its legacy, its values and its leadership. Our company is steered by thought leaders who create and articulate the company’s vision, aided by a strong and dedicated management and an experienced R&D and Technology team.

Nadir Burjor Godrej

Chairman – Non-Executive

Mr. Nadir Godrej is the Chairman and Managing Director of Godrej Industries Limited.

He holds B. S. degree in Chemical Engineering in 1973 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a M.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1974 from Stanford University. He has done an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1976. Since 1977, he has been a Director of Godrej Soaps Limited.

He has been very active in developing the animal feed, agricultural inputs and chemicals businesses of Godrej Industries Limited and associate companies. He has been very active in research and has several patents in the field of agricultural chemicals and surfactants. In 2001, Godrej Soaps Limited was renamed as Godrej Industries Limited and he was appointed as the Managing Director of Godrej Industries Limited.

He is also the Chairman of Godrej Agrovet Limited and Director of Godrej Properties Limited, subsidiaries of Godrej Industries Limited. He is a Director of Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Godrej Consumer Products Limited and other Godrej group companies. He has been active in CLFMA (Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association of India), ICC (Indian Chemical Council) [erstwhile ICMA (Indian Chemical Manufacturers’ Association)], OTAI (Oil Technologists' Association of India) and the Alliance Française de Bombay. He is currently the President of the Alliance Française de Bombay. He is on the National Council of CII (Confederation of Indian Industry). He is also very active in the Harvard Business School and M I T Alumni Association in India.

The French government awarded him the Ordre national du Mérite in 2002 and the Légion d'Honneur in 2008. He has also received Life Time Achievement Awards from OTAI (Oil Technologist Association of India) and Chemexcil and the All India Liquid Bulk Importers and Exporters Association (AILBIEA). The Board of Management of Manav Rachna University has unanimously conferred Mr. Godrej with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. And he has been inducted as Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE). Mr. Godrej is deeply committed to the GOOD and GREEN strategies and achievement of set targets for the Godrej Group. He encourages and supports a shared vision value for all programs of Good and Green.

Ashok V Hiremath

Non-Executive Director

Mr. Ashok Vishwanath Hiremath was formerly the Managing Director of Astec LifeSciences Limited and is now the Non-Executive Director. He brings with him several years of experience in the Chemical Industry. He has a Masters’ degree in Engineering from University of Oxford and a Post Graduate Diploma in Chemical Engineering from University College, University of London. He founded Astec LifeSciences Limited in 1994. He has been actively involved in the affairs of the Company and has played a key role in the growth of the Company. He was awarded the Dombivli Giants Award for Industry in 2008 and the Udyog Rattan Award by the Institute of Economic Studies in 2010 and several other awards for his excellence in chemical Industry.

Anurag Roy

Whole – Time Director & Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Anurag Roy has over 23 years' experience working in leading pharmaceuticals/life sciences and chemicals companies such as DSM, Dr. Reddy's Labs, BASF and Jubilant Life Sciences. He has proven track record of driving global P&Ls and delivering commercial and operational excellence and leading several manufacturing, supply sites and CMOs. He has worked across continents with over a decade of professional experience working in USA and had held senior leadership and board positions at various organizations. He has actively helped organizations particularly in the global contract development & manufacturing business in building customer pipelines, setting up global footprints (Europe, Japan, USA) with GMP manufacturing facilities, research centres and technology platforms.

He has a MBA from Columbia Business School in New York, USA., Masters in International Business from Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Delhi, India and B. Tech, Chemical Technology (Polymers Science) from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute in Kanpur, India.

Balram Singh Yadav

Non-Executive Director

Balram Singh Yadav is the Managing Director of Godrej Agrovet Ltd., one of India’s foremost diversified agribusiness companies. He also serves as Managing Director of Godrej Tyson Foods Ltd. He has been the Chairman of CLFMA of India (Twice), an Association of Livestock Industry. In addition, he is a Director of numerous firms including ACI Godrej Agrovet Pvt Ltd. - Bangladesh, Creamline Dairy Products Ltd. - Hyderabad, Astec Lifesciences Ltd and Godrej Maxximilk - Mumbai.

Balram began his career with Godrej in 1990 and over the years he has handled roles of increasing responsibility across businesses and regions in the company. He became the business Head in 1999 when he was asked to establish & lead the Poultry Business. He established the Real Good Chicken and Yummiez as the leading processed poultry brand in India.

In 2007, he took over reins of Godrej Agrovet Ltd. as Managing Director and since, has put Godrej Agrovet on the path of rapid growth. In 2017, Balram was instrumental in taking GAVL public. The public offer received record response & was subscribed over 96 times. He is a regular contributor to National & International fora in areas of Food & Agriculture.

Balram completed his BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science at Haryana Agricultural University, where he ranked 2nd in his class. He earned his MBA from IIM-Ahmedabad. He lives in Mumbai.

Burjis Godrej

Non-Executive Director

Mr. Burjis Godrej is currently Head of Special Projects at Godrej Agrovet Limited (“GAVL”), where he focuses on agrochemical projects for Astec LifeSciences Limited and Godrej Agrovet Limited Crop Protection businesses. His role involves evaluation of products, synergies, technologies, business models, geographies, consultant engagements and capex plans. He has been appointed as an “Executive Director” of GAVL w.e.f. 1st November, 2022.

Mr. Burjis Godrej is also a “Non-Executive Director” of Astec LifeSciences Limited and Godrej Maxximilk Private Limited, Subsidiaries of GAVL

Mr. Burjis Godrej completed his MBA from Harvard Business School in 2021. He first joined GAVL in 2017 working on new product development in the strategy division. His role involved monitoring R&D activities, product quality improvement, new product trials and innovation partnerships with external organizations. Before joining GAVL, he worked for Conservis Corporation, a firm that provides software for farmers (now a Joint Venture between RaboBank and Tellus Corporation). His role there involved software implementation, customer success, water quality monitoring and sales development.

Rishinaradamangalam Ramakrishna Govindan

Non-Executive, Independent Director

Mr. Rishinaradamangalam Ramakrishna Govindan, is a Commerce graduate and a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). He has more than 35 years of corporate work experience in Finance, Mergers & Amalgamations (M&A), Green Field projects, independent management of Joint Venture (JV) relationship and management of Agri Verticals. He served as the General Manager - Finance & Systems of Godrej Foods Limited and Godrej Agrovet Limited from April 1999 to November 2004. He served as the Managing Director of ACI Godrej Agrovet Private Limited, Dhaka (Bangladesh) from November 2004 upto February 2008. He then served as the Vice President (Plant Group Vertical) of Godrej Agrovet Limited from February 2008 to February 2012 and as the Executive Vice President from March 2012 onwards, till he superannuated on 30th April, 2015.

Appointment Letter

Brahma Nand Vyas

Non-Executive, Independent Director

Dr. Brahma Nand Vyas has completed graduation B.Sc. Agriculture in 1971 from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur and post graduation M.Sc. Agriculture with Honours in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry in 1973 from the University of Udaipur, Rajasthan. He worked with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, since 1974 till 1987, and then joined Godrej Soaps Limited. He obtained Doctorate in 1980, while in service in Chemistry from University of Gujarat, Ahmedabad. At BARC, Dr. Vyas worked on the behavioural aspects of most Toxic Radionuclides Plutonium -239 and Americium-241 in soils and Soil-Plant systems.

At Godrej Soaps Limited initially and later at Godrej Agrovet Limited, he led R&D for nearly two decades, and was responsible for the development and launch of first ever Commercial Neem based Urea Coating Agent, the country's first CIB Registered Neem Insecticide, the world's first Homobrassinolide based Growth Promoters, for grapes initially and later for other crops, and most recently very Unique Post Emergence Selective Herbicide for Cotton, based on Pyrithiobac sodium. During the R&D assignments, he has published more than 60 scientific publications in international and national journals of high repute, besides presentations at international seminars. He is the holder of more than 25 patents including international patents.

Dr. Vyas is currently a Life Member of Indian Society of Soil Science, Indian Society of Agronomy, Fellow Member of Oil Technologists Association of India, Fellow of Indian Society for Nuclear Techniques in Agriculture and Biology. He has held the position of President of the Indian Society for Plant Growth Products, Mumbai for 12 years, and is currently the President Emeritus of IAPGP. Also, he is currently the Designated Partner in Neem Wave Exhibitions LLP and Vice Chairman of Neem Foundation, Mumbai.

Appointment Letter

Nandkumar Dhekne

Nandkumar Dhekne

Independent Director

Mr. Nandkumar Dhekne has four decades experience in diverse areas such as Field services, Operations Management, Sales/Marketing & General Management. He is a recognized growth leader in Asia Pacific.

In his recent assignment, Mr. Nandkumar was Vice President – Asia Pacific for Solenis, USA (JV between CD&R and BASF), a global leader in paper making and industrial water treatment chemicals based in Shanghai.

He has held several senior leadership roles in his career for the business growth and performance in over 10 countries including China, Korea, Japan, ANZ, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and South Asia including India and was based in Shanghai since 2007. He was the Chairman/Board Member of several Hercules, Ashland and Solenis entities in Asia Pacific and their JVs in India (Chembond Chemicals), China (Hercules-Tianpu Chemicals), Korea (Hoimyung) and Malaysia (Drew Ameroid). He was the Managing Director SEA for GE Water and process Technologies (2001-2004) and President & CEO of GE Energy SEA during 2004-2007. When in GE, he was a Board member of GEPSIL and GE-BHEL JVs in India. During 2007-2009, he was the Director – Asia Pacific, Hercules USA. From 2009-2014, he was Vice President – Asia Pacific, Ashland USA and led their Speciality chemicals business based in Shanghai.

Mr. Nandkumar is a Chartered Engineer and the Honorary Fellow-Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers. He was the Chairman of American Chambers of Commerce, Bangalore, Chairman of the Energy Committee – Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce and an active CII Committee Member, Delhi. He has served as the Chairman of GE Elfun in India and was on the Board of AICM and ENACTUS in China which are non-profit organisations. He continues to be an active YPO member in Bangalore.

Mr. Nandkumar holds a graduate degree in Chemical Engineering and is a distinguished alumnus of Institute of Chemical Technology (UDCT) Mumbai. He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School, Boston (AMP).

Appointment Letter

Anjali Rajesh Gupte

Non-Executive, Independent Director

Ms. Anjali Rajesh Gupte holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce and is a qualified Chartered Accountant & Cost Accountant.

Ms. Gupte has over 30 years of experience, having handled various functions in Finance across a varied range of industries, including Media, Financial Services, Manufacturing and Real Estate. Key areas of expertise include strategic business partnering, financial reporting, controllership, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, business integration and reorganising business for growth and compliance.

In her recent assignments, Ms. Gupte was Director and Group Chief Financial Officer for Havas Group, India (2021-2023) and as Chief Financial Officer, South Asia for Grey Worldwide (2016-2021). Prior to this, she was the Head of Finance, South Asia & Director for Thomson Reuters India Private Limited (2008-2014) and Finance Manager, South Asia & Director at Reuters India (1998-2008). Ms. Gupte worked as a Finance Manager in Godrej Properties & Investment Limited (1995-1997) and as a Finance Executive in Gujarat Godrej Innovative Chemicals Limited (1993-1995).

Appointment Letter