“Energy Efficiency Is At The Forefront Of Every Industry”

11 January 2024

… says Anvar Jay Varadaraj, Executive Director, Elgi Equipments. In an interview with Neha Basudkar Ghate, he stresses on the increase in demand for compressors that consume less energy. Excerpts from the interview…

When it comes to the current Indian market, what have been the major market drivers for manufacturing air compressors?

The demand for our products tends to follow the manufacturing trends in the market. With a lot of infrastructure development and expansion, our portable air compressor range is witnessing a lot of demand in the country. Being in the compressed air business offers the advantage of accessing diverse markets and segments as every industry requires an air compressor.

On the other hand, energy efficiency is at the forefront of every industry. As a result, there has been an increase in demand for air compressors that consume less energy. ELGi prioritizes fuel efficiency in diesel compressors and electricity consumption in electric compressors. Our R&D enhances energy efficiency, cutting customer expenses.

What strategies is ELGi implementing to cater to the increasing demand in the Indian Air Compressor Market, given its significant growth potential from 2018 to 2025?

We are very bullish about the Indian market. As a market leader in India, growth challenges arise compared to the US or Europe, where our market share is smaller. In India, we look forward to increasing our presence in industrial segments such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and electronics manufacturing. Specifically, we are going deep into various industrial segments to understand the opportunities better and then either introduce our products based on the requirements or develop new products and offer them to the industry.

In your estimation, what percentage of Indian manufacturers currently employ oil-free compressors in their operations, and how has this trend evolved in recent years?

Unlike the US and Australia, India lacks a centralized body for compressor data sharing. Oil-free compressors have lower demand in India, where they are pricier and less energy-efficient than oil-lubricated counterparts, requiring more maintenance. Typically used in critical sectors like pharmaceuticals and food packaging, we anticipate increased demand in the future. Our innovation strategy aims to make advanced technologies, like oil-free air compressors, more accessible to all customers, positioning us as industry leaders.

How has the integration of IoT technology influenced the growth of compressors in various industries, and what specific advantages has it brought to these sectors?

IoT doesn't increase demand for our products. The data our devices procure is more important for us as manufacturers to track their running efficiency. We generate a lot of data as we run many machines and assembly lines. We are currently capturing the data and trying to analyze it to see how we can predict a defect, improve productivity, and improve the quality of the machines. On the product quality side, IoT also provides data on how to improve preventative maintenance. Our goal is to offer a standard package to customers without additional charges.

Could you tell us about the sustainable part of ELGi's product portfolio?

Sustainability is integral to ELGi's identity. We're dedicated to a long-term approach addressing climate challenges. Our Environmental E objectives focus on resource-neutral operations and technology-driven transformation. ELGi's eco-friendly air compressors set new standards, offering industry-leading performance with reduced energy and maintenance costs. They aid customers in achieving carbon emission reduction goals. Our commitment includes enhancing customer experience with 5% more energy-efficient products by 2030 and achieving 80% availability of HFO-based dryers by 2030 for reduced climate impact.