Shell Lubricants, the global market share leader in finished lubricants held the 5th edition of its Metals Technology Forum today in Mumbai. The forum was attended by leading industry experts in the metal and steel industry, to discuss the challenges faced by the lubricants industry and find solutions for the same. In addition, the forum was aimed at showcasing Shell Lubricants’ innovative technology and its holistic solutions, with a special focus on offerings for modern day steel plants.
The event witnessed over 90 participants from different metal and steel companies including Tata Sponge & Iron Steel; JSW, Bhushan Steel Limited, Kalyani Steels and Essar Steels, among others. The key trends discussed during the forum included: dynamics of increasing energy efficiency and reducing maintenance costs; the best lubricant-related operation and maintenance practices; outlook on growth of the metal and steel sector; and challenges of controlling leakages in pumps and valves.
The sessions at the technology forum were addressed by Mr. D P Deshpande, Managing Director, Tata Sponge Iron Limited; Mr. Arvind Kumar, CEO, Kaytek Solutions OU; Mr. Prashant Godbole, Sr. Manager Sales & Predictive Maintenance team, PRIMETALS Technologies; and Mr. Mukesh Dubey, Sr. Vice President – Mechanical, Kalyani Steels. Additionally, the forum was led by Mr. Akhil Jha, Vice President – Technical, Shell Lubricants India; Mr. Ajay Agarwal, Technical Team Lead, Shell India and Mr. Umesh Dwivedi, BDM, Shell India, and was concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Vineet Thakar, Vice President – Sales, B2B, Shell India.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Akhil Jha, Vice President Technical, Shell Lubricants India said, “The Indian metals industry is very modern and consists of state-of-the-art mills and plants. It has always strived to continuously modernize and upgrade its existing plants to achieve higher productivity levels. At Shell Lubricants, we recognize that even one break-down or unscheduled maintenance can lead to stoppage of a steel plant, therefore resulting in significant loss of production. High-temperatures, high load and wet conditions can place significant demands on the metal processing equipment. Following the success of the first four editions of Shell Metals Technology Forum held at Bhubaneshwar, Jharsuguda, Jamshedpur and Kolkata, we have organized the 5th edition of this event in Mumbai to deliberate on the modern day lubrication challenges faced and solutions sought by the Metals & Steel industry”.
“We have received an overwhelming response from the industry, and are glad to contribute to knowledge-sharing in the sector. With this initiative, we hope to showcase our products and services; and demonstrate our expertise in the area of technological innovation, partnerships and application. This will surely help us strengthen our ties with customers, OEMs, industry experts and other key stakeholders in the Metals & Steel Industry in India”, he further added.
Mr Arvind Kumar, CEO – Kaytek Solutions OÜ, Estonia and Director of Tech Xpert Consortium LLP said, “This forum organised by Shell Lubricants is an innovative knowledge exchange session. It brings together different companies to deliberate on technological developments, and their use in industry. It helps to disseminate knowledge in fields like lubricants that have significantly evolved in the last decade. The tangible and intangible benefits of the same are immense. The knowledge shared at this forum is a great value addition, and the platform in itself is a laudable initiative.”
Mr. Mukesh Dubey, Sr. Vice President – Mechanical, Kalyani Steels said, “Considering the competitive industry landscape, we recognise the value addition that a lubricants company like Shell Lubricants brings to the forefront, given their focus on reducing the downtime and ensuring longer equipment and oil life. As a global lubricants supplier, Shell Lubricants helps us in improving our maintenance practices by offering their technologically-advanced products and services, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership. I am very excited to be here amidst industry experts to discuss latest advancements in lubricants technology for metal sector.”
Shell Lubricants’ product portfolio for metal industry includes gear oils such as Shell Omala; bearing and circulating oils such as Shell Morlina; greases like Shell Gadus; and hydraulic fluids like Shell Tellus.
Shell Lubricants conducts similar technology forums in other parts of the world with the objective of understanding the next generation requirements of various target industry groups.
About SHELL LUBRICANTS INDIA
Shell is one of the most diversified international oil company in India’s energy sector. With over 4000 staff in the country, Shell has a significant technology centre, a financial business operations centre, an in-house global IT centre and operates a joint venture LNG receiving and re-gasification terminal. Earlier this year, it signed MOUs for a floating LNG terminal in the country. Shell also has a downstream business marketing fuels and lubricants.
Shell Lubricants’ India operation is part of Shell’s long-term commitment to India and its support for the country’s increasing energy needs. Shell Lubricants’ customers in India include Wartsila, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Ford and Thermax.
