Can you outline ABB India’s Motion business product portfolio and its focus on customised offerings, such as segment-focused motors and drives, etc.?
ABB’s Motion Business area provides a wide range of products including low and high voltage electric motors and variable frequency drives as well as PLCs, for industries and buildings. Additionally, we offer complete package solutions that incorporate these products seamlessly. For rail and e-mobility segments we offer traction motors, converters, batteries, and battery chargers. We have observed a significant demand and potential in India, which has led us to strengthen our product lines.

Our company has always been customer-centric, and we design our products keeping in mind customer needs and the environment. Additionally, we have introduced our IE4 motors for small ratings tailored for the general-purpose and process industries. This has enhanced our portfolio by offering a comprehensive range of all IE4 motors up to one MW. We have noticed a significant uptake in HVAC systems, as these systems account for 30 per cent of a building’s energy consumption. By adopting our motors and drives that run the HVAC system, customers can reduce their energy bills and promote sustainability by consuming lesser energy and emitting fewer carbons.

How significant is the ‘Make in India’ initiative for ABB India in terms of product localisation? Could you shed light on the company’s approach towards technology adoption and innovation within the Indian market?
ABB India with its local manufacturing capability and global technology expertise is committed towards the ‘Make in India’ goal and significantly contributing to building the nation. We are extremely proud to have been contributed towards sectors such as cement, chemicals, metals, marine power, and mining, etc., where we stand a very good chance of growth. We have the customised our products to serve the market. An example is that we have been product suppliers to the OEMs that are building the Vande Bharat metro expansion projects.

Within the construction equipment segment in India, how do you see the growth?
Driven by the expenditure on infrastructure, the construction equipment industry in India is on an upward trajectory. The industry is gearing up for a significant growth spurt aiming for a 15 per cent YoY increase over the next five years. The industry is estimated to hit $7.30 billion in 2024 and $10.90 billion by 2029. The rising demand within the drives and motors for stone crusher and manufacturing sand is reflective of the growth in this segment. There is also larger potential for electrification of the construction equipment with scope for our e-mobility portfolio.

How does ABB India plan to address the increasing demand for higher efficiency motors and drives, particularly in tier 2/3 cities? Are there any specific strategies or initiatives in place to cater to these emerging markets?
The tier 2 and 3 markets in India is growing, also thanks to the entrepreneurs making best use of the eco-system, like raw material, manpower, infrastructure, and policies to cater to the growing local demand and also serve other potential markets. We have witnessed a remarkable 40 per cent growth in our channel partners, with most of them coming from tier 2 and tier 3 cities and is one such testimonial. We are actively working with our partners and are very optimistic about our prospects especially for the energy efficiency portfolio. As a leading provider of high energy efficiency motors in India, ABB has the necessary supply chain and manufacturing capabilities to support this transition.

Our primary focus is to promote the widespread adoption of high energy efficiency motors and variable speed drives in tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 cities. By providing these solutions to our customers, ABB India aims to empower them to optimise their energy consumption and reduce their carbon footprints. This commitment to sustainable development will be a game-changer, especially as global companies consider sourcing from India.

Energy consumption and plans for reducing carbon footprints will undoubtedly become significant factors, and it is crucial that we prepare ourselves in advance. The buying behaviour of the tier 2 and 3 markets has also changed, now seeking value in terms of energy saving, reliability and service support and ABB with sales offices in tier 2 and 3 cities, channel partners and service partners is well placed to meet this demand.

With the shift from IE2 to IE3/4 motors, how crucial do you believe this transition is in optimising energy savings?
In India, the current Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for motors is IE2 efficiency. IE3 motors have approximately 15 to 20 percent lower losses than IE2 motors, while IE4 motors have further 15 to 20 per cent lower losses than IE3. IE3 and IE4 motors constitute only around 18 per cent of the total motors manufactured, making the transition to higher-efficiency motors crucial. By replacing IE2 with IE3 as MEPS, savings from one year of production surpass 1 TWh, while IE2 with IE4 could save up to 2.1 TWh.

The potential energy savings from the transition are enormous with significant implications for lighting up villages and cities. This effect makes it urgent to implement and crucial for optimising energy savings. Educating customers about the advantages of these motors and garnering government support to establish efficiency benchmarks will be crucial in achieving these savings. Collaborative endeavors hold huge potential, and it's easy to replace the motors.

How does ABB India prioritise sustainability and energy efficiency in its drives and motors solutions, particularly concerning reducing carbon footprint? In what ways do you perceive motors and drives playing a crucial role in India's journey towards achieving net zero emissions?
ABB is committed to embracing sustainability with a key focus on three pillars: planet, people, and profits. Through a series of impactful sustainability initiatives, we have successfully achieved more than 80 per cent reduction in our scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to our 2019 baseline. Notably, our manufacturing facilities follow eco-friendly practices and are powered by 100 percent renewable electricity and have received platinum or gold certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

We acknowledge the importance of addressing scope 3 emissions and we are joining forces with our stakeholders to ensure their involvement in the sustainability journey. This collective effort contributes to the development of a sustainable industrial ecosystem, reducing carbon footprint and moving towards achieving net zero emissions.

What benefits do you see digitalisation bringing to both ABB India and its customers in terms of efficiency, maintenance, and performance optimisation?
ABB India aims to enable customers to optimise their energy consumption and reduce carbon footprint. By combining the commitment to energy efficiency solutions, higher adoption of efficient motors and drives, smart factories, digitalisation in the supply chain, and smart products, we aim to position ourselves as a leading provider of cutting-edge motion solutions in the Indian market. We recognise the pivotal role of digitalisation in overall business growth and aim to leverage collaborations with startups and invest in digital transformation initiatives to strengthen our product portfolio and advance our manufacturing capabilities.

How do you foresee the market for motors and drives evolving in the near future?
The Indian economy has managed to stay strong despite numerous global and geopolitical challenges. The future outlook for growth is optimistic given the infrastructure push in the country, and it’s exciting to think about how we can capitalise on this momentum. Our energy efficiency movement started with a vision to optimise energy efficiency and accelerate towards a decarbonised future for all and as the market expands, there will be a greater emphasis on technology, digitisation, and sustainability within the ecosystem.

Digitisation will play an even more important role in driving operational efficiency within the businesses while implementing advanced automation and connected products will surely set the path for the future to achieve enhanced reliability, efficiency, and quality and product performance.