| In this exclusive interview, Sanjeev Arora, President of ABB India’s Motion Business, provides an in-depth look at the innovative and comprehensive product offerings of ABB’s Motion Business in India. From low and high voltage electric motors to the sophisticated ABB Ability™ Digital Powertrain, Arora discusses how ABB is driving energy efficiency and sustainability across various sectors. He highlights recent technological advancements, such as the next-generation ACH180 compact drive and IE5 EC Titanium motors, which underscore ABB’s commitment to leading with state-of-the-art, energy-efficient solutions.
What are the current product offerings of ABB’s Motion Business in India?
ABB’s Motion business plays a crucial role in keeping the world moving while saving energy every day. The business offers an extensive array of products, encompassing low and high voltage electric motors, variable frequency drives, and PLCs tailored for both industrial and building applications. We also provide comprehensive package solutions that seamlessly integrate these products. For the transportation sector, our offerings include traction motors, converters, batteries, and battery chargers. Furthermore, ABB Ability™ Digital Powertrain, is our suite of digital solutions, to provide deeper insights into motors, generators and drives, optimizing performance and efficiency across powertrain. The increasing demand and potential of our country has motivated us to fortify our product lines.
ABB is known for its technological innovations. Can you highlight some recent technological advancements in your Motion Business?
ABB India has consistently led the way in technological innovation. Our team is dedicated to developing a comprehensive range of products that enhance efficiency, reliability, and productivity. Our recent product launches have prioritized energy-efficient technology, exemplified by the next generation ACH180 compact drive, designed for HVACR systems, as well as the IEC Low Voltage IE4 cast iron super premium efficiency motors. These products underscore our commitment to delivering state-of-the-art energy-efficient technology while leveraging our deep domain expertise. Our ultra-low harmonics drive significantly enhances power quality by minimizing harmonic distortions, leading to more stable and clean power supply. This reduction in harmonics decreases electrical stress on components, thereby extending the lifespan of motors and other connected devices. It also boosts energy efficiency by reducing losses associated with harmonics, resulting in lower operational costs. Another shining example of innovation is ABB’s IE5 EC Titanium motors with integrated drives that set a new benchmark in motor technology by offering ultra-premium efficiency and lowering energy losses by up to 50% compared to commonly used IE2 induction motors.
Sustainability is a core value at ABB. How is ABB’s Motion Business contributing to a more sustainable and resource-efficient future? Could you share some examples of how your products have helped customers reduce their operational costs and environmental footprint?
ABB is firm in its commitment to sustainability, with a primary emphasis on three core pillars: planet, people, and profits. Through a series of impactful sustainability initiatives, we have achieved a reduction of over 80% in our scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to our 2019 baseline. Notably, our manufacturing facilities adhere to eco-friendly practices, operating on 100% renewable electricity and holding platinum or gold certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). ABB’s motion business places sustainability and productivity at its center and is making strides towards a more sustainable and resource-effective future. We recognize the significance of addressing scope 3 emissions and are collaborating with our stakeholders to ensure their participation in the sustainability journey.
By collaborating with industry and like-minded stakeholders, and leading awareness with Energy Efficiency Movement, we are promoting the adoption of energy-efficient solutions. We take great pride in highlighting that ABB’s installed base of motors and drives supplied in last 10 years,
save ~ 14TWh energy annually.
How does ABB India ensure that its workforce remains skilled and updated with the latest technological advancements?
Given the central role of technology and innovation in numerous industries, we are committed to ensuring that our employees are well-equipped and adaptable to the most recent operational methodologies. To achieve this, we offer an array of learning and development initiatives designed to provide our employees with the requisite skills to traverse evolving business landscape.
Digitalization at ABB is empowering both employees and customers by enhancing skill sets and providing expert advice for commissioning and troubleshooting. Through comprehensive online training programs, remote assistance, and easy access to ABB’s global network of experts, both employees and customers can resolve issues efficiently. Digital tools facilitate knowledge sharing, predictive maintenance, and customized learning paths, while digital twins and simulations offer risk-free environments for skill refinement. This integrated approach ensures continuous learning, improved performance, and increased operational reliability.
What is your vision for the future of ABB’s Motion Business in India? How do you foresee the industry evolving in the next 5-10 years, and what role will ABB play in that future?
The Indian economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of numerous global and geopolitical challenges. The growth prospects appear promising, bolstered by substantial infrastructure investments in the country. The potential for capitalizing on this prevailing momentum is invigorating. ABB India is committed to consistently delivering state-of-the-art products and services while actively contributing to national development. Looking ahead to the next decade, I anticipate that digitization will assume an increasingly pivotal role in driving operational efficiency across enterprises. The integration of advanced automation and interconnected products is poised to chart a course towards bolstered reliability, efficiency, and product performance in the future.
With energy transition to greener alternatives, Motion India has potential to contribute from standalone regenerative solar pump drives to large-scale green hydrogen projects and grid stability enhancements, ABB Motion offers innovative solutions at every level. Our solar pump drives efficiently harness solar energy while feeding excess power back into the grid. We are also at the forefront of green hydrogen technology, providing solutions for hydrogen production and distribution.
Motion India is also well poised to make significant contributions to the energy transition towards greener options. Our advanced drives and energy management systems ensure grid stability amidst increasing renewable energy integration. With a comprehensive portfolio of energy-efficient motors and automation solutions, the business is driving the transition towards a more sustainable energy landscape. I hold an optimistic outlook regarding ABB India’s potential to exert substantial influence in steering these dynamics in the future.
Which are the sectors that ABB’s Motion business operates in and what are the growth drivers, especially in the Tier 2/3 markets?
ABB’s Motion Business products are utilized across diverse sectors such as F&B, HVAC, Cement, Metals, Mining, Chemical, Oil & Gas, Power, Pulp & Paper, Plastics & Rubber, Water & Wastewater, Crane & Hoists, Tunnels, Buildings, and Renewables. It is noteworthy that the tier 2 and 3 markets in India are experiencing growth, attributed to entrepreneurs effectively leveraging the ecosystem, encompassing raw materials, manpower, infrastructure, and policies, to meet local demands and explore potential markets. Motion India has observed a notable ~17% growth in its channel partner business, with tier 2 and tier 3 city partners actively contributing to this growth momentum. We are also encouraging extensive adoption of high energy efficiency motors and variable speed drives in the emerging markets in India.
Within ABB’s Motion business, can you elaborate on the company’s plans on the adoption of high energy efficiency motors & variable speed drives?
Today, over 300 million industrial electric motor-driven systems are in operation worldwide. These systems are the backbone of numerous industries, driving manufacturing processes, transportation, and infrastructure. However, many of these systems operate inefficiently, incurring significant costs for businesses and the environment. Optimizing and replacing these systems with high-efficiency alternatives presents a tremendous opportunity. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), such improvements could reduce global electricity consumption by up to 10 percent.
Our recent product and technological introductions are a testament to our commitment to ensuring consistent performance and reliability, while delivering high energy efficiency, reduced operational costs, and minimized emissions. Our objective is to equip our customers with these products to affect a reduction in overall energy consumption and carbon footprint. Moreover, the increasing trend of global companies sourcing their products from India underscores the pivotal role that sustainable development will play.
Our product mix of IE3 and IE4 motors contributes to more than 50% of the overall motor sales, the highest in the industry. By prioritizing the development and distribution of IE3 and IE4 motors, we are not only meeting the market demand but also setting a benchmark for energy efficiency in the industry. In the services sphere, our Energy Appraisals assist customers in identifying optimal opportunities for energy efficiency improvements. By conducting detailed energy audits and assessments, ABB experts analyze the performance of existing motor-driven systems and identify areas where energy consumption can be reduced.
