Aspire To Leave A Legacy Of Integrity, Innovation And Environmental Responsibility: Rajesh Sharma

You’ve been with Ion Exchange(India) for over 50 years. How has your journey evolved, and what are you most proud of?

It’s a privilege to witness and contribute to Ion Exchange’s journey over the past five decades. I joined the company in 1974 as a Service Engineer and was immediately drawn to its pioneering spirit and commitment to innovation. From my early days to becoming Chairman & Managing Director in 2011, my journey has been deeply intertwined with the company’s growth and success. I am proud to have led our export initiatives, which account for 28 per cent of the company’s turnover, with a presence in over 14 regions globally.One of the key milestones I am proud of is our transformation into a globally recognised company in water and environment management. Our global expansion started with our first international plant in Malaysia in 1976, followed by projects across the globe. The recent acquisition of Portugal-based MAPRIL has strengthened our European operations as we aim to increase exports to 50 per cent of sales.A major achievement was the establishment of our Centre of Membrane Excellence in Goa as India’s first fully integrated HYDRAMEM membrane manufacturing facility. As I look back, I see a company that has continually embraced innovation, sustainability and customer-centric solutions. My journey with Ion Exchange has been immensely fulfilling.

How do you ensure Ion Exchange stays at the forefront of innovation in water treatment and environmental solutions?

Continuous in-house R&D along with global technology partnerships are key to our success. This allows us to deploy cutting-edge technologies for our customers worldwide. We aspire to have 15 per cent of our revenues come from new innovative products and solutions.In 2019, we established a 24,000 square-feet cutting-edge R&D Centre in Patancheru, Telangana. This facility focuses on developing advanced resins, membranes, polymers and speciality chemicals for water and wastewater treatment, process separation and purification. It enabled us to produceimport substitute products and enhance our export value.

How do you envision Ion Exchange driving sustainability and resource recovery trends in the water treatment industry given rapid advancements?

As global efforts to restore ecological balance intensify, we are committed to leading the water and environment sector by practising the concept of circularity. Our solutions have benefited a large number of customers not only to conserve resources but also to recover valuable by-products, enhancing their sustainability footprint and meeting circularity goals. Our customer-centric approach ensures we work closely with our clients to tailor solutions that meet their immediate needs and also align with their long-term sustainability goals.Achieving water security and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) calls for a paradigm shift, incorporating holistic stakeholder efforts. By embracing circular economy principles, we transform linear water systems into circular ones, focusing on reducing, reusing and recovering resources. Our 360° environment management adds value across the entire circuit, from influent water through potable and industrial process water to effluent/sewage treatment and recycling to Zero Liquid Discharge.In the coming years, we will continue to drive these trends forward by advancing innovative technologies, fostering sustainability and working in partnership with our customers to create a water-secure and environmentally responsible future on the principles of SDG and circularity.

What are the major challenges you foresee in these sectors? How is Ion Exchange addressing them?

This sector faces several significant challenges that impact its efficiency and sustainability. One of the primary concerns is energy consumption; others include minimising the chemical footprint required for water and waste treatment. Many MSMEs today are in need of  cost-effective, proven technologies in smaller capacities to comply with regulations.To mitigate this, Ion Exchange offers modular products using technologies that have significantly lower energy demand, chemical use and very low footprints eg. The INDION New generation Packaged Sewage Treatment Plant treats domestic sewage using a very low footprint.Another challenge is the availability of trained manpower. Further leveraging current technology that uses data for collecting plant performance on real-time basis and deriving useful insights through digital analytics and AI not only to analyse trends but also to predict outcomes, we have integrated our IONSITE Digital Twin and INDION Autochem in our system designs. This has helped hundreds of our customers manage water systems better with increased efficiency and minimal failure while saving tremendous costs.

What is your long-term vision, where do you see Ion Exchange in the next decade? What legacy do you hope to leave behind?

The world faces significant challenges related to water scarcity, pollution and climate change; with over five decades in the water and environment industry, I have witnessed the sector’s dynamic evolution and its increasing relevance today. At Ion Exchange, we believe access to clean water is a fundamental right, which has driven our commitment to developing state-of-the-art technologies for comprehensive water management challenges. Our focus is on innovating solutions that conserve water resources through recycling, reuse and tapping into alternative sources like industrial effluent, seawater and treated sewage.Our R&D teams are dedicated to creating breakthrough products that reduce chemical consumption and improve energy efficiency. We envision a future where our water management strategies seamlessly integrate with environmental needs, addressing industrial and community requirements without compromising on planetary health.In the short term, I aim for 50 per cent of our business to come from overseas markets within the next decade, driving global expansion with our expertise and innovative solutions.Ultimately, I aspire to leave behind a legacy of integrity, innovation and environmental responsibility. I want Ion Exchange to be recognised not only for technological advancements but also for its significant contributions to preserving our planet’s most valuable resource—water.