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Schaeffler is committed to achieving its carbon neutrality target by 2040
Interviews- Jan 22,24
In this interview with Rakesh Rao, Seshan Iyer, President - Industrial Business, Schaeffler India Ltd, explains the importance of green engineering & manufacturing practices for India to gain competitive edge in the global marketplace.
Growing awareness about environment and stricter regulations are driving companies to focus on energy efficiency, resource conservation, and emission reduction. As sustainability becomes a key differentiator for businesses, companies adopting these practices will be better positioned to attract investments, win new customers, and access new markets, believes Seshan Iyer, President - Industrial Business, Schaeffler India Ltd. In this interview with Rakesh Rao, Seshan Iyer, who has over 29 years of rich experience with various organisations in the industrial business domain, explains the importance of green engineering & manufacturing practices for India to gain competitive edge in the global marketplace.
What changes are you witnessing in the manufacturing sector with climate change gaining traction?
The manufacturing sector is experiencing a profound shift due to climate change. Growing awareness and stricter regulations are driving a focus on energy efficiency, resource conservation, and emission reduction. We see customers increasingly demanding sustainable solutions while investors prioritise companies with strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. This is leading to innovations in renewable energy integration, circular economy principles, and the adoption of cleaner production technologies.
What steps are being taken by your company to achieve the objectives of sustainability?
Sustainability is at the core of Schaeffler India's strategy. We are committed to achieving our ambitious carbon neutrality target by 2040. This commitment spans our entire value chain:
Product development: Our Gen-C and X-Life products offer lower friction and are energy-efficient, providing extended life and lower energy consumption for customers. Our lubrication products are specially formulated for superior performance and extended operations, increasing the mean time between relubrication and thereby reducing the consumption of lubricants. For example, our E-mobility solutions for electric vehicles help automotive companies design and manufacture electric vehicles, contributing to lower emissions in the transportation sector. Schaeffler Lifetime Solutions offers a wide gamut of online condition monitoring solutions that help customers understand and predict the failures of rotating machinery, thereby reducing frictional losses before failure.
R&D: We invest heavily in R&D to drive innovation and accelerate the transition to a greener future. Our research focuses on employing advanced surface technologies and highly engineered sealing technologies that offer superior solutions with higher dynamic load ratings, higher speeds, and minimal contaminant ingress, resulting in superior performance and lower energy and lubricant consumption. We work closely with OEMs in the wind and solar energy space.
Manufacturing: We continuously adopt and employ new technologies in manufacturing processes through lean manufacturing practices, digitalization, and renewable energy integration. Our manufacturing sites implement circular economy principles, such as recycling and reusing materials, to minimise waste. The manufacturing machines at our plants have implemented Schaeffler Optime and Prolink Solutions for condition monitoring of rotating machinery to support sustainability goals. Our refurbishment/remanufacturing facility in Jamshedpur offers customers a wide gamut of refurbishment/remanufacturing solutions, helping them extract the maximum life out of a bearing, thereby supporting overall sustainability goals and reducing the plant’s carbon footprint over the long term.
Supply chain/logistics: We collaborate with our suppliers and logistics partners to optimise transportation routes and reduce emissions throughout our supply chain. We are also exploring the use of sustainable packaging materials and alternative fuels for transportation.
Waste management: We are committed to minimising waste generation and maximising recycling. We have implemented comprehensive waste management programs at our plants and actively partner with recycling companies to ensure responsible disposal of waste materials.
Overall business: We have integrated sustainability into our core business strategy and decision-making processes. We measure and track our progress towards our sustainability goals regularly and transparently.
How is Schaeffler assisting its customers in their path to Net Zero emission?
Schaeffler India supports customers in achieving their Net Zero emission targets by providing sustainable products, solutions, and expertise. We offer a wide range of energy-efficient products and services that help them reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint. We also work closely with them to optimise their processes and implement sustainable manufacturing practices. Additionally, we share our knowledge and expertise through training programs and workshops to assist them on their sustainability journey. Remanufacturing of bearings and deployment of roll-shop maintenance support at steel plants are a few examples.
How important are “green engineering/manufacturing” practices for India to gain competitive advantage in the global marketplace?
Green engineering and manufacturing practices are critical for India to gain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. As sustainability becomes a key differentiator for businesses, companies adopting these practices will be better positioned to attract investments, win new customers, and access new markets. Additionally, these practices can lead to cost savings through reduced energy consumption and waste generation. The Indian government's recent focus on promoting green manufacturing provides further impetus for companies to adopt these practices.
Why is it imperative for Indian manufacturers to adopt modern technologies & automation for green manufacturing?
Modern technologies like digitalization, robots, AI, and 3D printing are essential for improving competitiveness and achieving green manufacturing in India. These technologies impact manufacturing in every aspect and can enhance efficiency, optimise processes, and reduce waste and the carbon footprint. For example, digitalization can enable real-time monitoring and control of production processes, leading to reduced energy consumption and improved resource utilization. Robots can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up human workers for higher-value activities and reducing safety risks.
AI can optimise production planning and maintenance schedules, further enhancing efficiency. 3D printing has a lower impact on the environment than traditional technologies, reduces waste and carbon emissions, and enables the creation of lightweight and complex components, reducing material usage and waste.
How do you view the performance of the Indian manufacturing sector at present? What is your expectation for FY24 & FY25?
The Indian manufacturing sector is facing headwinds due to the global economic slowdown and geopolitical uncertainties. However, the sector has shown resilience in the past and is expected to bounce back in the coming years. Some of the important aspects that will support the growth of the manufacturing sector include the government's focus on investing heavily in infrastructure development that will kickstart major core industries, boosting domestic manufacturing through initiatives like "Make in India" and PLI schemes, expected to provide further impetus to the sector. We at Schaeffler India are well-positioned to meet the market demand as we move forward.
How do you plan to scale up your business “sustainably”? What kinds of growth opportunities are you looking to tap in the coming years?
We plan to scale our business sustainably by focusing on organic growth and expanding into new markets and segments. We will continue to invest in R&D and innovation to develop new sustainable products and solutions. We will also leverage our global expertise and network to collaborate with partners and customers to drive sustainable growth. Manufacturing expansion plans and localisation of products will also be of key importance as we move forward.
Schaeffler India
Seshan Iyer
industrial bearings
lubricants
bearings
net zero emission
sustainability
green manufacturing
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