The Germany-based MANN+HUMMEL provides filtration components for automotive and industrial applications. The company has technical know-how to develop the right filter media to clean the air/water. With awareness about pollution (air as well as water) increasing, companies like MANN+HUMMEL can expect their businesses to experience robust growth in India. MANN+HUMMEL India has been growing at a CAGR of 20 per cent and we would continue to grow at this pace, says Pradeep Randhawa, Managing Director, MANN+HUMMEL India. In this interview, Randhawa explains the importance of filtration technology in controlling pollution and how IoT (Internet of Things) is making products smarter.

 

Kindly brief us about products & services offered by MANN+HUMMEL in India. Which are the key end-user industries that you serve?

MANN+HUMMEL India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MANN+HUMMEL GmbH, started production of filtration components in India in 2006. Today, MANN+HUMMEL India supplies products to the OEMs in the automotive (cars and trucks) and industrial sectors (compressors and construction industry).

 

MANN+HUMMEL is a leading global expert for filtration solutions since 1941. The Ludwigsburg (Germany) headquartered company develops solutions for motor cars, industrial applications, clean air in interior spaces and the sustainable use of water. In 2017, the group achieved sales of approximately Euro 3.9 billion worldwide with more than 20,000 employees at more than 80 locations. The products manufactured by the group include air cleaner systems, intake manifold systems, liquid filter systems, plastic components, filter media, cabin filters, industrial filters and membrane filters. 

 

MANN+HUMMEL recently launched ‘OurAir’ in India. What is the significance of this launch for MANN+HUMMEL India?

MANN+HUMMEL started a new business vertical – Life Sciences and Environment – which has two distinct businesses – Intelligent Air Solutions and Water Solutions. The OurAir brand is part of the Intelligent Air Solutions division. This initiative is significant, since this would allow us to make a direct impact on one of the most important challenges being faced by society today which is air pollution, both indoor and outdoor. Studies have shown that indoor air pollution is even worse than outdoor air pollution. MANN+HUMMEL with its products and services is addressing this problem. 

 

Is increase in awareness about pollution (air as well as water) helping MANN+HUMMEL business in India?

Yes, for sure. There is heightened awareness on the harmful effects of air pollution created by particulate matter like PM2.5/PM10 & other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). MANN+HUMMEL is able to provide products that can monitor, improve and manage the air quality levels in indoor spaces. Professional air quality monitor provides reliable and accurate air quality control solutions. OurAir indoor air purifiers remove more than 99 per cent of pollutant gases, allergens, bacteria, formaldehyde and PM2.5 in your home or workplace.   For large installations, we have our own set of energy efficient HVAC filters providing high filtration efficiency. Clients can now recognise the value proposition that we offer.

 

How important is the role of filters in controlling pollution (air as well as water)?

The only way to improve air/water quality is to filter out the useful from the harmful. This is what MANN+HUMMEL does. We use our technical knowledge to develop the right filter media to clean the air/water. The filters have to address the varying pollutant levels in the air/water and remove them in a cost effective and efficient manner. 

 

Do you cater to wastewater treatment segment in India?

If yes, could you please elaborate how?

We also cater to waste water treatment. We offer membrane solutions to recycle of waste water in industry and municipal segments. 

We offer membrane solutions based on micro, ultra, nano, membrane bio reactor (MBR) and reverse osmosis (RO).

 

How is the demand for your air purifier systems in India? What is driving this segment?

Rise in air pollution (both indoor and outdoor), increase in awareness on pollution and the latest technologies and products available are driving the market. We expect the demand (for our solutions) to go up when people have the chance to compare our products with similar products available in the market. We have designed our products with a background of an in-depth knowledge on filtration, clean air delivery rate (CADR) and number of air changes required to maintain the healthy air quality levels.

 

Is MANN+HUMMEL looking at new opportunities in the pollution control space (air as well as wastewater)?

MANN+HUMMEL is making its products, ‘smart’. This would mean adapting IoT/cloud technology to give our customers real time monitoring of filter life while being able to monitor air quality.

 

What are your growth plans for MANN+HUMMEL India?

MANN+HUMMEL India has been growing at a CAGR of 20 per cent and we are confident that we could continue to grow at this pace. We have a large portfolio of product technologies that we can bring to India – this would be done as the market develops.