I have friends from both Thapar and HBTI, so I think I can answer this question.

• Thapar is a private university, so naturally, it has better infrastructure.
• HBTI, on the other hand, is one of the oldest institutions of the country and at the same time has gained much reputation among the students. It also has an extensive alumni network.
• Also, the chemical branch at HBTI Kanpur is well-known among students for its highly qualified and skillful faculty members.

Here are the recent placement highlights of the institutes.

If you are aspiring for chemical technology or related branches then go for HBTI Kanpur and if you want to pursue some core courses then Thapar University is the best option.