As far as our product focus for the wire and cable industry is concerned, we are very bullish and have developed some very innovative products, especially the rodent repellents and termite repellents.
Lifeline Technologies, established in 1993, manufactures innovative, specialty products for niche applications such as water purification chemicals, agro-chemicals, special additives for plastics and paints, etc. It is a pioneer in Nano Silver Technology in India and many parts of the world. The company has successfully obtained 4 patents for its products and has applied for over 15 patents.
In 2008, we diversified into Specialty Additives & Master Batches for Plastics mainly aimed at the wire and cable sector. Wire & Cable India interviewed Mr. Karan Shah, Director – Marketing & Business Development, Lifeline Technologies on the sidelines of Elecrama 2016, Bengaluru where the company was exhibiting its product range. Excerpts:
Wire & Cable India: Tell us briefly about Lifeline Technologies and its evolution in course of time.
Karan Shah: Lifeline was primarily into water purification, agro-chemicals, and plastic additives. Then, we decided to put our focus only on plastic additives and for the last 10 years this has been our core business. As far as our product focus for the wire and cable industry is concerned, we are very bullish and have developed some very innovative products, especially the rodent repellents and termite repellents. We have also developed some one-pack masterbatches in which we combine the colour and UV protection which protects the jacketing of cables. All these products have been used and approved by our customers globally including India.
Today, Lifeline is exporting to over 25 countries with its specialty additives and masterbatches. This is how with our niche offerings and customized solutions we wish to cater to our customers and grow our market.
WCI: You have a diverse product range catering to segments other than wire and cable. What proportion of your product range is dedicated specifically to the wire and cable segment?
KS: Majority within the plastic additives are meant for the wires and cables wherein we are actually pioneers in the rodent repellence and termite repellence in the market.
WCI: Do you have your own facility for making and researching the chemicals and additives?
KS: Absolutely! All the intellectual properties for the said chemicals and additives are owned by Lifeline Technologies. We have developed all these products in-house with the help of highly-qualified research team. We have got the entire research set up and a cutting-edge lab in-house.
WCI: What is the capacity as regards to additives and masterbatches?
KS: Since these are specialty additives, we are manufacturing about 30 tonnes of active ingredients per month. In terms of masterbatches, that becomes about 3000 tonnes which is very sizeable capacity so much so that we don’t need to expand it in near future.
WCI: Something about your export…
KS: We, right now, are catering to about 25 countries in terms of different products. Right now, as I said, we don’t’ face any issue on the front of capacity and we have enough to cater to domestic as well as export requirements.
WCI: Do you export directly or is there any tie-up to help you in that?
KS: We have got a few strategic tie-ups in different countries. The company has our exclusive distributors in few countries, in few we deal directly with the customer, and in other few we have strategic tie-ups with companies similar in line with us. For example, in Europe we have tied up with a company called Delta Tecnic which itself is a pioneer and cable specialist. Lifeline has developed really good relationship with them and they are catering our products to the entire European market.
WCI: In coming times, where would your focus lie more, in export or domestic market?
KS: We are focusing equally on both as India is a swiftly growing economy and there are many initiatives by the Govt. Of India like ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’, etc. So, we are very bullish on this and I think we can serve the industry very well in its effort to be partner of these initiatives.
WCI: Your near term targets?
KS: I hope we can expand our footprints within specific industry areas like wire and cable. We would also go for more strategic partnerships to expand our business globally.
