According to reports, the global market for valves and pipe fittings is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.1 percent until 2030. Various factors are propelling the growth of this industry and when it comes to a developing country like India, the introduction of quality guidelines and fugitive emission standards have helped in developing international-grade products on a native scale. Several initiatives on the grounds of environmental sustainability have also been taken by governments and organizations at large to reduce net wastage in manufacturing. Due to growth in the quality of products, consumer expectations have also grown and now they expect a warranty period of 2-3 years for all the products.
However, amidst this growing landscape, consumers often face challenges mostly regarding quality and pricing. There has been a sharp increase in the raw material prices which has led to increased product pricing which sometimes exceeds the budgets of consumers. To eliminate this problem, Plastrulon Processors keeps a heavy stock of raw materials acquired from premium quality manufacturers. This prevents any kind of manufacturing delay and also helps the company keep the prices consistent and competitive.
Madhusudan Tulaskar, Managing Director
Currently, the plastic resins market which is the primary raw material for valves and line pipes manufacturing is being controlled by China mostly. This is the reason why there has been a sharp increase in prices. “We are associated with manufacturers in India and abroad as well and we always consider keeping stock of resins with us at all times. Various grades of these resins are required for manufacturing different products and only because we keep stock, we can provide customers with the products that align with their specific requirements”, mentioned Manish Tulaskar, Director, Plastrulon Processors.
Growth Story
Plastrulon is one of the established companies in this sector that is currently operating in India. It was started back in 1983 and has been a part of this industry for more than four decades now. In fact, its predecessor Indoflon Polymers one of the pioneer companies in fluoroplastics processing in India was established by Madhusudan Tulaskar in 1973. Manish Tulaskar joined Plastrulon under his father’s supervision in 1992 and together they currently provide a combined industry experience of more than 85 years.
This is one of the aspects that make Plastrulon stand apart in the market. Being part of this industry for such a long time has allowed the company to grow along with the market. It started with a fundamental manufacturing and design setup during its inception, and it was able to adapt to the dynamic changes of this industry.
As it stands, the company’s technology prowess is unparalleled in the market as it uses the latest and most advanced technologies in terms of design and manufacturing that can provide the desired outcomes in products. “We have put much effort into the growth of technology. Such is our dedication towards this aspect that we have been able to design and develop manufacturing equipment and machinery in-house. More than 50 percent of our workforce has been with us for more than two decades now and this collaborative strength has given us the inspiration to pass hurdles and reach new horizons”, stated Manish.
Technology and R&D
From the beginning, the company has been providing customized products to its clients. Because the nature of these products does not fall under any dedicated traditional framework, every product brings about a new requirement for R&D. Plastrulon has its dedicated departments consisting of advanced technology and experienced professionals that can smoothly carry out projects right from the point of inquiry. After the initial discussions about the nature and kind of a product, the efficient design team of the company starts assembling the ideas and creates a virtual model of the product using 3D modeling technology. On approval of the design, it goes through a fully automated manufacturing process that has been developed by the company in-house and exactly aligns with the modern-day requirements. The inspection capabilities are next in line where the company follows stringent quality control protocols to achieve the perfect product.
It is the motto of the company to achieve the perfect product the first time. That is why it spares no effort at the first go of the design so that there are no hurdles on the way to manufacturing. After the delivery of the inquired product, the client makes it go through a third-party inspection to check for any inherent defects or issues. “We see ourselves as one of the technically competent manufacturers in this sector. Our experience in this field is an added advantage that has provided us with a competitive edge which has turned out to be very beneficial for us. In most cases, we can achieve the perfect product the first time and until now our rejection rate has been below 0.1 percent which we feel is a great achievement”, said Manish.
Plastrulon is one of the distinguished manufacturers of valves and lined pipes and possesses international-grade certifications as proof of quality for its products
Operational Excellence
Plastrulon is one of the distinguished manufacturers of valves and lined pipes and possesses international-grade certifications as proof of quality for its products. It has grown its reputation in the market with patented products that are exported to various countries across the globe. It also has the Pressure Equipment Directive certification which is testimony to the fact that it aligns with all the regulatory requirements for products that can be provided to all countries falling under the European Union. It is a very prestigious certification to have and Plastrulon is one of the very few Indian manufacturers that currently has it. The company has a complete range of Fluoro-plastic products, and no other company in India is currently capable of providing such a range. Dedicated design and manufacturing capabilities coupled with a stringent quality control system have made the company efficient enough to gain trust among its consumers in the global market.
Looking at the Future
Owing to pricing and budget restraints for Indian consumers, Plastrulon currently exports 85-90 percent of its production. This is another factor that differentiates the company from the others in the market. We can see many manufacturers who compromise on quality to meet the budget of the consumer and fail to deliver the desired outcome. In this regard, this company has struck to its quality directives from its very inception and created a solid reputation in the market based on that. The R&D department of the company is fully dedicated not only to providing the perfect model for clients but also to developing new product models keeping in mind the changing trends of the industry.
Many new applications for valves and Fluoro-plastic lined products have emerged over the years which tells that there are going to be more in the coming years. There has also been an increased awareness of reducing the wastage in this industry which currently stands at 10-15 percent. “Looking ahead, we are planning to expand our range of products in the Fluoro-plastic lining segment with advanced R&D technology and domain expertise. We are also looking towards adapting measures that can help us reduce the wastage in manufacturing. Looking at all the new applications coming up for these products we hope to cater to more industries in the years to come”, concluded Manish.