Surat Industrialist Bakul Limbasiya Wins APO National Award, Boost for India’s Lab-Grown Diamond Sector

Surat | Gujarat — Bakul Limbasiya, founder of Surat-based Bhathwari Technologies, a renowned industrialist from Gujarat and the country, has been conferred with the prestigious APO National Award. This national-level honour recognises outstanding individual contributions to productivity excellence, innovation and leadership in India. The honour bestowed on Bakul Limbasiya is particularly significant as it not only recognises Bakul Limbasiya’s personal achievements but also marks a significant milestone for India’s lab grown diamond industry.

Credited with creating the country’s first lab grown diamond

Bakul Limbasiya is a pioneer in the field of lab grown diamonds (LGDs) not only in India but also worldwide. He has been associated with the industry since 1998 and is credited with creating India’s first lab grown diamond in 2004. His early partnerships and groundbreaking innovations laid the foundation for today’s globally competitive, technology-driven Indian LGD ecosystem.

Significant contribution to eco-friendly diamond production

Through his work, Limbasiya has played a significant role in shaping India’s position as a global hub for lab grown diamonds. Apart from manufacturing using the latest and most advanced technologies, he has also made significant contributions in promoting exports. His efforts have contributed to raising productivity standards in the LGD industry, promoting innovation in diamond production and processing technology, and strengthening India’s reputation in eco-friendly diamond production in line with the country’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

‘The LGD sector is more than a personal recognition’

While receiving the award, Bakul Limbasiya said, ‘This honour is much more than a personal recognition; This is a tribute to the country’s lab-grown diamond industry and everyone associated with it who are reshaping the future of the diamond industry. Our sector works on a combination of environmental protection and value creation with technology. India is uniquely positioned to lead this global transformation.’

The award highlights the vast transformation underway in the diamond ecosystem in the country and the world, where lab-grown diamonds are emerging as an engine of employment, export growth and technological advancement, while also providing a sustainable alternative to conventionally mined diamonds. The APO National Award confirms India’s commitment to productivity excellence and its leadership in new-age manufacturing sectors.

Veteran industry leaders receive this award

The APO National Award is recognized as an award that honors visionaries who have made transformative contributions to India’s industrial landscape. The award is instituted by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and is administered by the National Productivity Council (NPC) under the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India. The award is considered one of the highest honours for promoting productivity and competitiveness in various sectors. Earlier, the award has been conferred on eminent industry leaders like Anil Naik (Larsen & Toubro) and Dr. Varghese Kurien. The inclusion of the lab grown diamond sector among such prestigious award winners is a strong recognition of the growing strategic and economic importance of this industry.

About BTPL

Surat-based Bhathwari Technologies Private Limited (BTPL) is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of CVD reactors and advanced technologies for lab grown diamonds. The company is strongly focused on innovation and continuous development of cutting-edge CVD plasma technology, and plays a key role in strengthening sustainable diamond production in India.

BTPL has played a key role in shaping the lab grown diamond sector and has led the sector through its strategic investment in Limelight Diamonds, India’s largest lab grown diamond jewellery brand. This reaffirms its commitment to building a strong, integrated and future-oriented lab grown diamond ecosystem in India.