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Filtration can help to control climate change

Published

2 years ago

April 16, 2024

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Niranjan Kirloskar, Managing Director, Fleetguard Filters, elaborates on the importance of filtration and its profound impact on efficiency, longevity and environmental sustainability.

Tell us about the core principle of filtration.
Filtration is segregation/separation of matter by density, colour, particle size, material property etc. Filtration is of four basic types:

Separation of solids from gas
Separation of solids from liquids
Separation of liquids from liquids
Separation of Solids from solids.

As applied to engines/equipment, the main objective of filtration is to purify the impurities and provide the desired fluid or air for enhanced engine/equipment performance in turn optimising their performance and life.

Can better filtration bring productivity to the work process? How?
Better filtration can improve the quality of application performance in multiple ways. Filtration improves engine performance as it filters and prevents dirt, dust, and debris from entering into the engine. This ensures that the quality of air or fluid that reaches the combustion chamber is as per the specific requirements of optimal performance of the engine. It also extends engine life by filtering out contaminants. Efficient filtration ensures optimal performance of the engine/equipment over its entire operating life. Filtration also improves fuel efficiency as a clean filter allows for a better air-fuel mixture in the engine, thus improving combustion efficiency, which in turn results in better fuel economy. It keeps emissions under control as fuels burn more efficiently leading to lesser harmful residue in the environment. Thus, to sum up, an optimal filtration solution ensures better performance, prolonged engine life and less hazardous waste in the environment.

What is the role of technology in the process of filtration?
Innovation, research and development as well as technology play a pivotal role in catering to the ever-evolving environmental norms and growing market demands. At FFPL we have NABL Accredited labs for testing, we have ALD Labs for design, and a team of R&D experts constantly working on providing advanced solutions to cater to the evolving market needs. We have robust systems and advanced technologies that make high-quality, high-precision products. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities use advanced technologies, automation, robotics and also Industry 4.0 as applicable to provide the best products to our customers. To ensure each product delivered to market is of utmost precision, advanced quality equipment such as CMM, scanning systems and automated inspection technologies for real-time monitoring and quality control during the manufacturing of filtration systems and to comply with standard quality requirements are used.

Tell us about the impact of good filtration on health and the environment.
Good filtration of equipment is to the environment what a good respiratory system is to the body. There are various benefits of an efficient air filtration system as it improves the air quality by ensuring optimum combustion of fuel thereby reducing/controlling emissions to the environment. Efficient lube filtration ensures low wear and tear of the engine thereby extending life of the engines and maintaining optimal performance over the entire operating life of the engine. Efficient fuel filtration ensures low wear and tear of expensive and sensitive fuel injection thereby ensuring perfect fuel metering resulting in best fuel efficiency and saving of precious natural resources. This efficient filtration can help to control climate change as it reduces the carbon footprint due to combustion in the environment.

Can your products be customised and integrated with other machinery?
Fleetguard Filters have been known as a leading solutions provider for decades. With relevant experience and close customer relations, we understand the market/applications requirements and develop solutions to address the pressing technical challenges our customers face concerning filtration solutions. Filters can be customised in terms of size, shape and configuration to fit specific requirements. Customised filters can be designed to meet critical performance requirements. Filtration systems can be designed to integrate seamlessly with any auto and non-auto application requirements.

What are the major challenges in filtration solutions?
Major challenges faced in filtration solutions are:

With every emission regulation change, filtration requirements also keep changing.
Engines are being upgraded for higher power ratings.
Space for mounting filtration solutions on vehicles/equipment is shrinking.
For fuel injection systems, the water separation efficiencies are becoming more and more stringent, so are particle separation efficiencies.
Due to next level filtration technologies,filtration systems and filter elements are becoming expensive, thereby increasing TCO for customers.
Customers prefer higher uptimes and longer service intervals to ensure lower maintenance and operating costs.

We, at Fleetguard, strive continuously to ensure that all the pains experienced by our customers are addressed with the fit to market solutions. Balancing the cost of filtration solutions with their performance and durability can be challenging, especially where the requirements of high filtration standards are required. Also, wrong disposal methods for used filters can have environmental impact.

–Kanika Mathur

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JSW Paints to Raise Rs 33 Billion for Akzo Nobel India Deal

Funds to part-finance Rs 129.15 billion acquisition of 74.76 per cent stake.

Published

27 minutes ago

November 7, 2025

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JSW Paints Limited (JSWPL) plans to raise Rs 33 billion through non-convertible debentures (NCDs) to partly fund the Rs 129.15 billion acquisition of a 74.76 per cent stake in Akzo Nobel India Ltd, according to an exchange filing. The deal, which will trigger an open offer for the remaining shares, forms part of the JSW Group’s Rs 65 billion capital infusion plan.

The bonds, to be issued on Friday, are rated ‘AA– (Stable)’ by ICRA, which noted that the NCDs will carry a five-year bullet repayment, with a call/put option after three years. Only a portion of the coupon will be paid annually, with the balance payable upon redemption.

ICRA said JSW Paints’ debt servicing obligations can be comfortably met through operating profits and dividends expected from Akzo Nobel India until maturity. However, it cautioned that the company’s leverage will remain elevated at over four times in the medium term.

JSW Paints, part of the JSW Group promoted by Sajjan Jindal and led by Managing Director Parth Jindal, plays a strategic role in supplying industrial coatings to JSW Steel. To date, JSW Steel has infused Rs 7.5 billion, while South West Mining Ltd has contributed Rs 1.5 billion towards capital expenditure, debt repayment, and working capital needs.

ICRA expects continued promoter support for the acquisition, which will be financed through a mix of borrowings and equity infusion at the JSW Paints level.

Post-acquisition, JSW Paints’ business profile is expected to strengthen significantly, benefiting from operational synergies, an expanded dealer network, and access to advanced coating technologies. The merger will position the combined entity — JSW Paints and Akzo Nobel India — as India’s fourth-largest decorative paint company and second-largest in the industrial segment. The acquisition will also give JSW access to premium brands like Dulux and new segments such as vehicle refinishes and marine coatings.

In FY25, JSW Paints recorded revenues of Rs 21.55 billion. The company expects a sharp rise in FY26 and beyond, supported by synergies in manufacturing, logistics, and marketing. ICRA projects healthy double-digit operating margins by FY27, marking a strong turnaround from operating losses in FY25.

The acquisition, initially announced in June 2025, valued the 74.76 per cent stake at Rs 94 billion and received Competition Commission of India (CCI) approval on 16 September 2025. The deal is expected to close within the current financial year.

Following the transaction, the Dutch parent company of Akzo Nobel India will retain the powder coatings business and R&D centre, while JSW Paints will integrate the rest of the operations.

Concrete

SAIL Bokaro Develops New Electrical Steel Grade

BSL produces 1,100 tonnes of energy-efficient special steel.

Published

27 minutes ago

November 7, 2025

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Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has announced that its Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) has developed a special grade of electrical steel for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to expand its portfolio of high-value and advanced steel products.

The newly developed steel is designed for use in electric motors, generators, small power transformers, electrical appliances, and rotors for hybrid and electric vehicles, contributing to enhanced energy efficiency and supporting India’s growing green mobility and energy infrastructure sectors.

In a statement, SAIL said, “The Bokaro Steel Plant has achieved a major milestone in product development by successfully producing about 1,100 tonnes of 0.5 mm thick IS 18316 LS Grade Non-Grain Oriented (NGO) Electrical Steel for the first time.”

The innovation is expected to position SAIL as a key domestic supplier of specialised electrical steel, reducing dependence on imports for critical industrial applications. It also aligns with the company’s broader strategy to move up the value chain and contribute to India’s self-reliance in advanced materials manufacturing.

The Bokaro Steel Plant’s success in developing this new grade of steel underscores SAIL’s focus on technology-driven production, quality enhancement, and sustainable industrial growth.

Concrete

Steel Ministry to Launch Third Round of PLI Scheme

New PLI phase to boost specialty steel output and cut imports.

Published

27 minutes ago

November 7, 2025

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The Ministry of Steel, Government of India, is set to launch the third round (PLI 1.2) of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel, a flagship initiative under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. The launch will be led by Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy, in the presence of senior officials and industry stakeholders.

Approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2021 with an outlay of Rs 63.22 billion, the PLI Scheme aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub for high-value, advanced steel grades. The scheme incentivises incremental production, investment, and innovation across selected product categories to enhance domestic value addition and reduce import dependence in critical sectors such as defence, power, aerospace, and infrastructure.

So far, the PLI Scheme has attracted a committed investment of Rs 438.74 billion, of which Rs 229.73 billion has already been realised, resulting in the creation of over 13,000 jobs under the first two rounds.

The scheme covers 22 product sub-categories, including super alloys, cold-rolled grain-oriented (CRGO) steel, alloy forgings, stainless steel (long and flat products), titanium alloys, and coated steels.

Under PLI 1.2, incentive rates will range from 4 to 15 per cent, applicable for five years starting from FY 2025–26, with payouts beginning in FY 2026–27. The base year for pricing has been revised to FY 2024–25 to better reflect prevailing market trends.

The third round of the PLI Scheme represents another significant step in advancing India’s self-reliance in specialty steel production, encouraging technological upgradation and private sector participation in one of the nation’s most vital industrial sectors.