Knowledge upgradation and application of modern welding technologies could lead to 320 per cent growth of welding industry is six years, reports Pranav Mathur

Away from the prospect of joining two different parts in order to create a single part of immense functional value, the welding industry is spread across numerous industry verticals. Forming a vital backbone of industries of diverse nature the world over, the welding industry has a very unmistakable presence and importance in India.

According to a statement by the Indian Institute of Welding (IIW), which represents the Rs 5200 crore Indian welding industry and has 12 branches all over India, a growth of 320 per cent in the next six years is achievable on the basis of knowledge upgradation and application of modern welding technologies. Towards this, the institute expects an investment of over Rs 2100 crore in new generation welding equipment by leading Indian fabricators over the next 3 years. This comprises Defence, Indian Railways, ship builders, power generators, automobile manufacturers and major companies in infrastructure and construction.

These industry verticals will seamlessly integrate new automated welding equipments with their production lines to reduce power consumption and welding time by up to 50 per cent. This would lead to about 20 per cent to 30 per cent savings in average welding costs and would help recover their investment in a span of 40 months. Said P K Das, President of IIW, "Technical skill upgradation and implementation of new processes and practices are a must to make this possible." Stressing on the need to maintain high quality of welded products, Das averred that welders and welding technologists must embrace new materials with improved weld-ability and adhere to create and maintain a six sigma quality environment on the shop floor.

With 88 per cent of the welding done manually, the scope for automation is high. Considering the fact that the welding industry has been growing at a steady rate of over 6 per cent per year in India, undeterred by the glum economic environment, a steady need for higher automation in welding is a given. Currently, conventional electric arc welding equipment and filler metals like steel represent over two-thirds of this growth. Steel is extensively used in India as a part of its infrastructural and industrial growth.

Averred A A Deshpande, Chairman of IIW, "Of the total steel consumed by India, about 2 to 4 per cent is welded steel. As the steel consumption is on the rise due to numerous infrastructural developments, the welding market is expected to benefit immensely."

The claim of the 320 per cent growth in the welding industry is heavily based on such market conditions, which look favourable.

In an effort to help upgrade, IIW is creating national and international job opportunities for welders by training and certifying them to a level of competency that matches international standards. While sources at IIW believe that will help support the industry's growth, the institute has also been contributing in bridging the gap between India and the technologically advanced countries, so as to aid the in-flow and out-flow of up-to-date knowledge and techniques of welding.