In an exclusive conversation with Machine Edge Global, Nileshkumar Kukalyekar, Business Director for South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa at Envalior, sheds light on the company’s strategic approach to innovation, sustainability, and its transformative impact on industries worldwide. With a rich portfolio of high-performance engineering materials and a relentless focus on R&D, Envalior is at the forefront of driving advancements in mobility, electronics, and sustainable manufacturing. Nileshkumar discusses the company’s pioneering solutions, their alignment with global sustainability goals, and how Envalior is shaping the future of materials science to meet the dynamic demands of industries across the globe.
Envalior’s commitment to innovation is evident in its R&D efforts. Can you elaborate on how Envalior’s R&D initiatives drive growth and sustainability in the industry?
Envalior puts immense focus on innovation and development of high-end engineering materials. Through Envalior’s R&D centers, several groundbreaking innovations have emerged, such as Akulon® RePurposed, Durethan®, Arnitel®, and EcoPaxx®, a bio-based monomer. Our portfolio of high-performance materials offers cost-effectiveness, strength, and adaptability, and are developed to meet the varied demands of different industries. For instance, Envalior’s Stanyl® PA46 exceeds the qualities of PA66 and ceramic solutions in mechanical performance and provides an economical alternative to PEEK. With one of the most extensive engineering material portfolios, we function as a one-stop shop for various customers across different industries, such as automotive, electronics, electrical, and medical equipment to design products meeting advanced market standards.
Envalior’s global presence spans multiple regions. How does the company tailor its solutions to meet the unique needs and challenges of different markets and industries?
Envalior boasts a significant global presence spanning Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Being an industry pioneer, Envalior offers a unique portfolio of high-performing and bio-based materials to its customers. We have quickly adapted to dynamic market change, addressing our customers’ niche requirements, while putting immense focus on sustainability. To this effect, we have shifted on the use of low carbon and circular materials, providing eco-friendly solutions across the value chain. High ductility, tensile strength, and toughness of our engineering materials allow our customers to leverage the latest technology to give birth to strong designs and innovative projects.
Can you elaborate on Envalior’s vision for the future of materials science and engineering, and how the company plans to contribute to shaping this future through its innovation and R&D efforts?
Our aim at Envalior is to promote the widespread use of environmentally responsible, high-end engineering materials, significantly reducing plastic pollution. We implement a comprehensive approach to encourage the adoption of recycled and bio-based materials across diverse sectors, driving progress towards a circular economy. At our innovative R&D centers, we have driven numerous breakthroughs, solidifying our dedication to pioneering technology.
Our sustainability-focused portfolio offers a diverse range of products with low carbon footprints, such as Akulon RePurposed, Durethan ECO grades, EcoPaxx, and Arnitel grades. Building on our existing efforts, we plan to expand our collaboration with industries, governments, and key stakeholders to increase awareness about the usage of sustainable materials, share insights and expertise, and establish industry-wide standards, contributing to a more circular and sustainable future.
Can you elaborate on Envalior’s vision for the future of mobility and how the company’s materials and solutions will support this vision?
The future of mobility is being shaped by technology-driven trends, electrification of vehicles, and autonomous vehicles. With internal combustion engines as a single power source coming to an end, more efficient and ecofriendly technologies are taking their place. This revolutionary shift towards environmentally efficient transportation solutions and cleaner vehicles requires specialized materials that keep the EVs safer, lighter, and sustainable. Envalior’s portfolio offers a range of sturdy yet lightweight manufacturing materials, helping automotive OEMs produce components that are extremely light, reduce friction, and operate efficiently, with minimal carbon footprints. Notably, Envalior’s Akulon® PA6 and PA66 materials optimally balance mechanical strength and cost value, offering exceptional solutions in the automotive industry. Traditional polyamides have lower impact resistance and are vulnerable to damage from common wear and tear, whereas Akulon® PA6 and PA66 deliver outstanding wear and tear performance, improving the safety and quality of products manufactured from it.
What strategies is Envalior employing to mitigate the environmental footprint of its material production processes, and how are these efforts aligned with global sustainability standards?
Driven by the rapidly increasing concerns of consumers and corporations over environmental crises, sustainability has become a necessity. In today’s time, it is paramount for companies to embrace eco-friendly practices to mitigate environmental footprint. As Envalior’s core strength lies in materials science and manufacturing excellence, it utilizes deep application and robust materials to offer a unique portfolio, inclusive of bio-based and recycled materials. Envalior has put in place certain standardized ways of measuring and reporting the key performance indicators, focusing on quality, reliability, sustainability, and competitiveness. The company is intent on innovating material solutions reflecting the latest market trends and consumer demands. Notably, Envalior has achieved globally relevant certifications for its energy management system in Europe and quality management system at its headquarters. Additionally, Envalior recently joined the UN Global Compact, aiming to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by 100% till 2040. Through careful planning, execution, and collaboration, Envalior is committed to continually improving and optimizing its processes to meet global sustainability standards and deliver high-quality products.
Envalior’s commitment to quality is evident in its certifications and compliance with industry standards. Can you discuss the importance of quality management in Envalior’s manufacturing processes?
Meeting industry regulations and standards is essential as it ensures product quality, effectiveness, and overall trust in the company. Quality management in manufacturing is a multi-layered process, ensuring that every product meets industry standards through monitoring, measurements, and testing. At Envalior, our fundamental focus extends beyond meeting stringent industry standards to exceeding them. A notable example of our commitment to quality is our CARE material portfolio that follows rigorous protocols, such as manufacturing under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and conducting related tests for compliance with standards like USP Class VI and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, Envalior emphasizes meeting universal regulations such as FDA Food Contact, USP Class VI, and ISO 10993-5/10993-10 standards, showcasing its commitment to quality and assurance. Overlooking quality assurance can quickly become expensive, impacting both internal and external operations.
What role do you see Envalior playing in supporting the growth of the EV and electronics industries in India, particularly in terms of reducing charging times and improving overall efficiency?
India’s EV market is witnessing tremendous growth, poised to reach US$ 27.70 billion by 2028. The EV industry is rapidly evolving, with cutting-edge features like fast charging enabling 450 kilometers of travel on a 10-minute charge. As the world shifts towards electric and hybrid vehicles, India is also embracing this change, with a growing focus on sustainable transportation. To support India’s EV venture, we offer advanced materials like Tepex, a lightweight and sturdy composite laminate system, made from thermoplastic polymers and continuous reinforcing fibers. Tepex® provides exceptional strength, rigidity, and weight savings, making it an ideal solution for the EV industry. Another key industry witnessing rapid growth in India is the electronics sector, projected to grow to $250 billion in the next five years. With innovations in digital technologies, electronics conglomerates are looking for fast data-processing, smaller, and efficient units. Our material solutions provide cutting-edge design and higher performance in thinner devices.
What are some of the key trends that Envalior is seeing in the automobile manufacturing industry in India, and how is the company positioning itself to support these trends?
The Indian automobile industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by technological advancements, evolving consumer demands, sustainable practices, and regulatory changes. As India shifts towards electric vehicles and eco-friendly transportation measures, the industry is poised to become the third-largest automobile market by 2026. In line with this trend, our customers, and their consumers in India and around the world are seeking circular products with limited CO2 production and high recyclability. The automotive industry is rapidly transitioning from traditional fossil-fuel-based vehicles to electric and hybrid vehicles. To support this shift, we are focusing on supplying materials for energy-efficient vehicles. As the nation aims for 30% EV sales by 2030, our products, along with their functionality and application, are evolving to meet the changing needs of the industry. Through constant innovation at our R&D centers, we ensure that Envalior’s expansive manufacturing materials portfolio remains sustainable, cost-effective, and aligned with the industry’s evolving requirements.