Due to stricter environment norms, demand for flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) plants is likely to witness an upswing, thus benefiting the bulk material handling solution providers like Macawber Beekay Pvt Ltd. In this interview, Ajay Kumar Gupta, Chairman & MD, Macawber Beekay Pvt Ltd, tracks trends in bulk material handling equipment market and the company’s plans to tap these trends.

 

What types of solutions do you offer?

Macawber Beekay is a name which is synonymous to providing complete turnkey solutions to reduce environmental pollution and conservation of energy to core industries like power, cement, alumina, steel, chemicals, sugar, paper, foundry among others. We deal majorly in ash handling systems; high concentration slurry disposal system; lean slurry disposal and ash water recovery system; pneumatic coal mill rejects handling system; coal handling system; and bulk material handling system.

 

Headquartered in Noida (Uttar Pradesh), Macawber Beekay was the first to bring unique technology of dense phase pneumatic conveying for transfer of bulk materials, especially dry fly ash, to India. Our manufacturing unit based in Keshwana (Rajasthan) is fully equipped with cutting edge and state of the art manufacturing, painting and testing facilities. 

 

What is the advantage of dense phase pneumatic conveying system? How is the demand for dense phase pneumatic conveying system in India?

Compared to lean phase or medium phase systems, dense phase pneumatic conveying technology has distinct advantages such as low conveying velocities (hence wear to the pipes and bends is less);  can handle variety of materials having different granularity; has larger handling capabilities in terms of TPH; less power consumption; and low maintenance. Dense phase pneumatic conveying system can convey material to longer conveying distances.In view of proven advantages of dense phase pneumatic conveying, most of the plant operators and project consultants are now recommending this system for fly ash handling. Even some of the plants have opted to replace their existing vacuum systems with dense phase system. Hence, this system is very much in demand in power sector.

 

Majority of the thermal power plants are financially stressed in India. How is this impacting the bulk material handling market? 

India’s power sector is undergoing a noteworthy change, and this has redefined the industry outlook. Demand for electricity is seeing a steady growth with a pick-up in the economy, especially manufacturing activity, as well as favorable government policy. The government has implemented various progressive measures to maximise power generation capacity and improve distribution. As such we foresee good growth in this sector in next 5 years. 

 

What is the latest trend in bulk material handling system in India?

The main purpose of a bulk material handling system is to continuously transport and supply bulk materials to units in processing plants. When selecting bulk material handling solution, we need to consider best possible technologies for any application. With the advancement of technology, we can handle material in a very cost effective and eco-friendly way. Proper engineering and selection of components, 

along with an effective control system play an important role in the performance of the system. Each system is tailor made to a specific application.

 

What are your growth plans for the company? 

Macawber Beekay have aggressively diversified the business interest to other related areas viz coal handling systems and also bulk material handling systems for FGD plants in power plants. Ash handling systems remains the company’s core competency. With strict environment norms laid by the Government now, it is going to be mandatory for all the large plants to have FGD and this segment is going to see a fast growth in near future.