With the development in the chemical industry and a positive outlook in the coming years, the chemical process equipment players are continuously focusing on introducing new and innovative products in the market.

According to published statistics, the chemical industry in 2013 earned revenue in the range of US$155-160 billion. The figure is expected grow at a rate of 11-12 per cent in the next two to three years. In fact, India is positioned as the third largest producer in Asia (next to China and Japan), and 12th largest in the world. With this positive record, the chemical industry, including both small and medium enterprises, is focusing immensely on the development of processing equipment, as well as products and bi-products ranging from plastics, petrochemicals, cosmetics, etc. The success of the Indian chemicals process industry depends entirely on producing a wide variety of advanced products for the chemical industries. Thus, there is a need for the manufacturers and chemical engineers to encounter advanced designs into the manufacturing of chemical process equipment.

At the 7th Annual India Chemical Industry Outlook Conference held in March this year, Vishnu Shankar, Associate Director, Chemicals, Materials & Foods Practice, Frost & Sullivan, stated, "Exciting times lie ahead for the Indian chemical industry vis-?-vis what's happening around the world. Shale gas developments in North America, major non-oil and gas diversification drives in the Middle East, expanding chemical capacity in China, etc., are just some of the major global developments that Indian manufacturers have to be aware of as they plan their growth strategies over the next decade." Frost & Sullivan was the Knowledge Partner for this event hosted by the Indian Chemicals Council (ICC). The ICC, established in 1938, is the apex national body representing all branches of the chemical industry in India such as organic and inorganic chemicals, plastics and petrochemicals and petroleum refineries, dyestuffs and dye-intermediates, fertilizers and pesticides, speciality chemicals, paints, etc.

The industry caters to a wide variety of process industries like oil & gas, petroleum refining, petrochemicals, chemicals, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals, metal industry, cement, paper, sugar, cryogenics, distilleries, etc. The industry designs and manufactures a very wide range of equipment and systems such as: pressure vessels, columns, towers, heat exchangers, multi-tubular reactors, evaporators, crystallizers, dryers, road/rail tankers, most modern storage equipment, loading and unloading systems, cooling towers, cryogenic systems, equipment for dairy and food processing, mineral beneficiation equipment, rotary kilns, equipment for power plants, equipment for offshore projects, thermal and combustion systems, etc. A wide range of equipment for solid-liquid separation, equipment for water and waste water treatment, systems for environmental engineering and pollution control, large material handling equipment, marine equipment and special purpose equipment for critical services such as reformers, multi wall ammonia converters, urea reactors, urea strippers, transfer line exchangers, process gas waste heat boilers, hydrocracker reactors, fired heaters, etc., are also being manufactured and exported by the industry.

As in many other industry sectors, the process equipment industry is also dotted by a large number of smaller players, with a small but significantly important number of large players. Among the established players in the organised sector are companies like Larsen & Toubro, Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co, Ingersoll Rand (India), Alfa Laval (India), GMM Pfaudler, GEI Hammon Industries, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Graphite India, and Paharpur Cooling Towers. These are the companies that cater to huge projects and have comprehensive capabilities with global footprint. The smaller players basically supply their equipment to directly to various process industries.

Chemical process equipment manufacturers are keen to introduce more advanced and innovative equipment, which will stand out to be well equipped in handling various challenges that the chemical industry faces. Solutions ranging from conceptualisation to engineering design and fabrication of process plants and equipment for chemical industry are the ultimate aim of manufacturers.

Among the larger manufacturers, the Process Equipment Division of Godrej & Boyce from the Godrej Group, continuing the tradition of its illustrious and century old manufacturing prowess, recently added another feather to its cap. This was the fabrication of one of the largest Nitric Acid absorbers in the world for a production facility in Australia. This prestigious order was received by Godrej from the one of the largest Engineering Procurement and Construction contractors in Spain - Tecnicas Reunidas. When the huge absorber with a 51 mtr tall column and weighing around 375 metric tonnes was shipped out from the Mumbai port, Allen B Antao, Executive Vice President & Head, Godrej Process Equipment had said, "This equipment showcases Godrej's engineering capabilities and the increasing reliance of global customers on Indian companies such as ours for their requirements of high technology products, worldwide. India shines not only in the Services sector but its manufacturing sector too is extremely competent and vibrant, based on the strong skill sets that Indian engineers bring to the table."

Godrej Process Equipment is a leader in fabricating unit static equipment for process industries. Established in 1976, Godrej Process Equipment manufactures the entire range of process equipment for end-users in core industry segments like refineries, petrochemicals, fertilizers, oil & gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and power around the world.

TEMA India Ltd, a major manufacturer of various types of heat exchangers, is another highly respected Indian company in the design and manufacture of process equipment. TEMA's Engineering Department employs highly qualified engineers who are trained to execute complex design calculations in strict accordance with International Codes. TEMA strongly believes in the vision of being a global force in the entire range of heat exchangers.

At an industry gathering in Mumbai in early 2014, Haresh K Sippy, Chairman and Managing Director, TEMA India Ltd, had said, "The coming years and decades will see reduced availability of crude oil and hence Indian companies need to upgrade ideas and standards to meet global requirements and resultantly help conserve environment." He had further stressed on the fact that it is necessary for the EPC companies, the manufacturer and the end-users to be on the same platform to understand the heat exchanger and its problems better.

"Heat Exchangers are to be tailor-made as per the end-user's requirements and not merely as specifications and data sheets. After all, the wealth of information comes only from the end-users. Though heat exchanger is a mystery, it can be solved with the better coordination with the end-user since conceptualisation. If that data is shared with manufacturers - through EPC companies - it would be easy to nail this obscurity."

With pollution and environmental concerns having come to occupy centre stage the chemical industries are now focusing on adopting cleaner technologies and greener features. The industry is constantly finding ways and means to reduce air pollution, and the equipment are manufactured accordingly. In fact, it is mandatory to install such equipment to treat waste gases and also release treated gases in atmosphere as per the guidelines of pollution control boards. Use of advanced technology, strong research capabilities, backward and forward linkages and development of domestic capacity to reduce dependence on imported raw materials are key success factors for Indian market. In addition, safety, health and environment protection issues should also be given the top priority, which is the need of an hour. A huge support from the government is also equally important.

The 2014 Budget has been a bit satisfactory to the chemical and petrochemicals industry in terms of tax reduction. This will certainly encourage the domestic manufacturers and the overall business. The dependence on the import of chemical process equipment is expected to be reduced with positive days to come ahead.

As Nadir Godrej, Chairman, CII National Committee on Chemicals commented on the impact of budget on chemicals sector: "CII National Committee on Chemicals welcomes the growth-oriented budget. The reduction in customs duty is welcomed as it helps address our demand for correcting the inverted duty structure and will also help boost domestic manufacturing. The budget also proposes to introduce a new urea policy, increase connectivity with ports and setting up of new IITs, IIMs with a view to promote talent; all these proposals are steps in the right direction."