As the construction and mining industries move toward more sustainable practices, innovation in equipment and components is critical. At Bauma, we spoke with Manikandan Mahalingam, Country Head – Sales of Filtrec Bharat, who shared insights on his company’s journey, product innovations, and strategies for tapping into the growing market.

As mining and construction equipment are major sectors for your company, how is your business contributing to sustainability and green initiatives?
Sustainability is a key focus, especially considering the global drive towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. The construction equipment industry has done enough work in 2024 for Launching all CE Equipment’s with stricter Stage V emission norms effective from 01 Jan 25.

Our company is committed for the CE industry to meet these regulations of Stage V.

One way of contribution is to launch longer service interval filter (Absolute BETA Filter series) that has a capability of absorbing higher dirt holding capacity and keeping the Hydraulic oil at good condition for longer time and reducing the breakdown of Hydraulic parts like cylinders, pumps, manifolds, valves, etc. For example, our newly launched Absolute BETA Filter series can withstand more than 1000 hours compared to the conventional 500 hours service change. Our new filters only need to be replaced once a year and thus reducing the consumption of raw materials like metal, paper pulp, and electricity…Furthermore, our manufacturing process focuses on conserving electricity, water, and other natural resources, reinforcing our commitment to the environment.

How does your product fit into this shift as industries move towards electric vehicles?
Our products, particularly hydraulic filters, are relevant in internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) applications. The function of our filters remains the same—maintaining oil cleanliness, which is essential for ensuring the smooth operation of any machinery, whether powered by an IC engine or an electric motor. By keeping the oil clean, we reduce the frequency of oil and filter changes and reducing the breakdown of other hydraulic parts, which helps extend the equipment’s lifespan and improve operational efficiency. This makes our filters versatile and suitable for both traditional and electric vehicles.

Are there any ongoing research and development efforts focused on self-maintaining filters?
We strongly focus on R&D in India and through our parent company in Italy. We have integrated self-indication system in the Filter which inform the driver through dashboard about the health of the filter and its choking condition. We are continuously improving our filtration technology to ensure that our products remain at the cutting edge of the industry. Our team is developing filtration media that can eliminate even the finest particles from the oil. Clean oil is critical to the performance of heavy machinery, as even small contaminants can cause significant damage to the hydraulic system.

We are also working on media that can remove water droplets from the oil, another step toward improving the machinery’s overall efficiency and longevity. These innovations will play a crucial role in the future of hydraulic systems for current and upcoming technologies.

Looking ahead to 2025, what are your plans for market expansion and new product developments?
India is experiencing rapid growth in the construction equipment sector. This year, India is projected to produce 140,000 units of off-highway machinery, up from 125,000 last year. Due to the central election in 2024 & New emission norms by Jan 25 , the CE industry is expected to grow by 10 percent. 

Looking ahead to 2030, the market for off-highway machinery is expected to double, with production reaching 300,000 units, and the hydraulic filter market will grow in tandem from 900 Cr to 1800 Cr. This growth presents a huge opportunity, and to capture this potential, we are making significant investments in expanding our manufacturing capabilities and increasing our market presence. We are also focused on enhancing our product portfolio to meet the industry’s evolving demands.

How do you plan to capitalise on this expanding market?
We focus on two key strategies to tap into the growing market: product innovation and market expansion. We continuously improve our filters to ensure they meet the latest emission standards and deliver enhanced performance. Additionally, we are expanding our presence in domestic and international markets to cater to the increasing demand for high-quality hydraulic filters. Our commitment to sustainability, product efficiency, and innovation will position us as a leader in the hydraulic filter market for years to come.

Can you tell us about your experience at Bauma India?
Bauma has been an incredible experience for us. We have seen an impressive turnout from visitors across India—North, West, Northeast, and South. Bauma is one of the most important events for the construction industry in India, second only to EXCON. It has given us excellent exposure, and we are excited to showcase our latest hydraulic filter sets. This year we are launching the Hydraulic Filters Kits for back loaders which is the predominant product category in CE segment. These filters are built to meet the evolving needs of the construction equipment sector, providing superior performance and longer service intervals.

For more information, visit: https://www.filtrec.com/