Lubrizol: Dedication of Our Licensees is Bearing Fruits

"As far as Flowguard CPVC is concerned, Lubrizol are the Innovators of CPVC technology globally and in India Lubrizol hold 55% of Market share as of now and look forward to retain the same in coming years. The dedication of our Licensees is bearing the fruits and this is possible because of our continuous team work and R&D at our facilities in USA and Belgium," says Mr. Manoj Dhar, Business Development Manager, Lubrizol Advanced Materials India Pvt. Ltd, in his interview with S.K.Khanna.

How does Lubrizol look at the emerging market for advanced plumbing and industrial piping products market in India? What is the role of the company (Lubrizol) in promoting technology transfer of the FlowGuard family of plumbing products in the country?
The market scenario is quite encouraging with increased acceptability rate amongst the users and consultants now. The future is definitely going to be eco–friendly plastic and the demand will be enormous. As far as technological transfer is concerned, Lubrizol are always on the path of dedication for it through our Licensees. we still consider that Lubrizol have a long way to go. The dedication of our Licensees is bearing the fruits and this is possible because of our continuous team work and R&D at our facilities in USA and Belgium.

In this technology transfer, who are the main licensees of FlowGuard pipes and fittings, — where are their manufacturing facilities located and the application areas of the product range?
The details of our Licensees are:

1. Astral Poly tecknik Ltd, Ahmedabad
2. Ashirvad Pipes Pvt Ltd, Bangalore
3. Ajay Industrial Corp., Delhi

The application is related to plumbing for transportation of Hot and Cold potable water.

What are the important technical attributes of this product range with regard to their non-metallic nature, resistance under corrosion conditions, flexibility in application and eco-friendliness, service life and cost effectiveness as compared with similar products in the market place?
The utmost advantage what plastic has over the metal is that it does not get affected by air, water and soil whereas the metal is easily attacked by these natural elements in plumbing. In our products, we do not face any corrosion, scaling, leaching, 100% leak proof joints, and above all it does not need any maintenance when installed properly.

These products are in use in India for over eight years. Based on your market perception—what has been the response so far? What is your promotional model for distribution to address the physical availability, knowledge availability of your products and services and your plans to introduce new products?
Now, the people are eager to know more and if we take Urban areas into account, they are aware of it. Recently, Pune University has included Plumbing as one of its Optional courses in Civil Engineering field with a full fledged Laboratory which is first of its kind in the country.

Everyday, a new person gets added to this field and we are proud of this that IPA who is working towards a good cause of educating the new entrants. Even the certification programs are framed out for them to be professionally qualified.

We at our end conduct plumber training programs which is being done by our well–qualified professionals.

What does market share your company enjoy today and how do you look at the same in the next two years?
As far as Flowguard CPVC is concerned, we are the Innovators of CPVC technology globally and in India we now hold 55% of Market share and look forward to increase the same in coming years.


Your company was one of the important participants in the 2^nd International Exhibition of Plumbing and allied products—PlumbexIndia’09. How gainfully you have benefited from this participation in terms of product and business promotion?
The footfall during the show meant that only related persons visited the show, it has been a positive step towards the plumbing sector taken by IPA which has created awareness amongst the mass about the importance of Plumbing in the industry as a whole.