By Subadra Anand
Grundfos, a 75-plus-year-old Danish company, has been a beacon of sustainability for over two decades. With a 25-year presence in India, it has established itself as a leading provider of advanced water solutions, prioritizing sustainability in its operations.
“We have six values that we live by in our company, and sustainability is one of them, thereby being at the core of everything we do as an organization” remarks Usha Subramaniam, Country President – Grundfos India. The company’s purpose, articulated by its CEO, revolves around pioneering solutions to the world’s water and climate challenges, underscoring its commitment to leaving a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship.
For Industries, water plays a pivotal role, being a critical resource for various processes. Grundfos addresses this challenge through comprehensive solutions, spanning water treatment, distribution, and industrial processes. With a focus on reliability and efficiency, their intelligent pumping solutions cater to dynamically varying demands, ensuring optimal performance while minimizing environmental impact. Grundfos is also proud to say that many of the intelligent solutions are developed in India.
“Our priority lies in three different application areas: water treatment, processes, and industrial processes,” explains Shankar Rajaram, Director – Industry, INDO Region, shedding light on Grundfos’ strategic focus. In the Indian context, the industrial segment constitutes a significant portion of the company’s turnover, reflecting a pivotal role in driving sustainable practices across industries. Grundfos effectively achieves overall savings of approximately 15-18%, with pump-specific savings ranging from 30-40%. They cover 20-25% each of their business in the mobility, food and beverage (F&B), and pharmaceutical sectors, with the remaining percentage spread across other industries. Among these, textiles hold particular regional importance for Grundfos, given its successful operation of the largest Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in Asia for the past 15 years, which is currently undergoing upgrades. The textile industry, being both water and labor-intensive, aligns well with Grundfos’ comprehensive solutions, making it a sector where their offerings excel in performance.
Towards a Net-Zero Future
In a bold stride towards sustainability, a global leader in intelligent and energy-efficient pumping solutions, is steering its iTruck Drive campaign towards a net-zero future, covering extensive ground across India’s industrial heartlands. As the campaign recently reached Chennai, it marks a pivotal juncture in the company’s relentless pursuit of eco-friendly solutions. Having been in India for the last 25 years and being an advanced water solutions company, sustainability is at the heart of everything they do.
Launched on September 25, 2023, from Gurgaon, the iTruck initiative has traversed over 12,500 kilometers, spanning across 90 cities in states including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. This ambitious journey underscores Grundfos’ commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90%, aligning with the Science-Based Target Initiative (SBTi).
Shankar Rajaram emphasized the significance of this campaign, stating, “We are dedicated to advancing innovation that promotes sustainability, and our iTruck Drive campaign exemplifies this dedication as it reaches Chennai.” Grundfos has a significant portion of the business in the industrial sector. In the Indian context, they have a percentage of around 52%. The campaign serves as a beacon of Grundfos’ deeply rooted belief in balancing technological advancement with environmental responsibility.
The iTruck initiative showcases a suite of sustainable pump technologies and intelligent solutions tailored to meet diverse industrial requirements. By directly engaging with industries across India, Grundfos aims to inspire a shift towards a net-zero horizon by 2050. Through this endeavor, they demonstrate unwavering commitment to addressing climate change and fostering a carbon-neutral future. As iTruck continues its journey towards the East and North, aiming to reach more cities by July 2024, the organization endeavors to significantly lower potential carbon emissions and amplify its audience reach threefold, heralding a greener tomorrow.
A Beacon of Growth and Innovation
The company’s remarkable growth trajectory in India reflects its unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability. With a 14% growth over the previous year and a turnover of Rs. 900 crore in 2023, they exemplify India’s growth story and its potential across diverse market segments. Having the intent of localizing more, 40% of what they sell in motors is localized and the ambition is to take that to an even higher amount of 60% in about 3-5 years.
Looking ahead, Grundfos remains optimistic about its growth prospects, aiming to maintain or exceed its current growth rate. Their biggest domestic growth is actually coming from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. By prioritizing sustainability, advancing technological innovation, and fostering customer engagement, they are poised for continued success both domestically and globally.
Embracing the Future
The iTruck Drive campaign serves as a testament to its dedication to driving positive change and shaping a sustainable future. The iTruck campaign is all about showcasing smart solutions. Centrifugal pumps are great for moving water efficiently. By showcasing sustainable pumping solutions directly to industries across India, Grundfos aims to inspire a paradigm shift towards a net-zero horizon by 2050.
As the iTruck continues its journey, traversing new territories and engaging with diverse audiences, They reaffirm their commitment to pioneering solutions that respect, protect, and advance the flow of water, thereby laying the groundwork for a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.
Grundfos’ iTruck Drive campaign stands as a beacon of hope, ushering in a new era of sustainability and environmental stewardship in India’s industrial landscape. As Grundfos continues to pave the way for a net-zero future, it reinforces its position as a global leader in sustainable pumping solutions, driving positive change and inspiring others to follow suit.
