FCC

Sustainability is integral to our global and India roadmap

2025-12-26

Vinay Balakrishnan, General Manager, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions India, speaks on the key trends shaping product development and market strategy in the Indian market.

How do you view the current momentum in India’s construction equipment sector and the role of Excon in driving industry growth?

India’s construction equipment (CE) sector continues to demonstrate strong, sustained momentum. FY24 witnessed exceptional growth, and FY25 has maintained that positive trajectory, driven by large?scale infrastructure development and rapid mechanisation. With India on course to become the world’s second-largest CE market by 2030, the sector is entering a phase of accelerated expansion. Excon plays a pivotal role in strengthening this momentum. As one of the most influential platforms for the CE ecosystem, Excon brings global and Indian OEMs, suppliers, and innovators together, fostering the exchange of ideas and showcasing advancements across categories.

What key trends or technological shifts are shaping your product development and market strategy for India?

India’s CE industry is undergoing major technological shifts driven by sustainability, fuel?efficiency improvements, automation, localisation, and the shift toward electrification and alternate fuels. OEMs are moving rapidly toward BS?V?compliant, electric, and hybrid platforms, and we support them through advanced sealing solutions that improve efficiency and durability in demanding CE environments.

A major focus is India?driven innovation. From the localisation perspective, our India-manufactured innovations include Stefa® high?pressure radial shaft seals, Stefa® HiSpin® EV seals for high?speed electric motors, Turcon® Roto L and Roto SG for CTIS applications. Localised cast iron mechanical face seals manufacturing is also enabling us to expand our product portfolio. All these products compete in critical applications and offer a competitive price advantage.

From the sustainability perspective, we are also advancing material innovation through PFAS?free solutions, high?performance PTFE technologies, and next?generation materials tailored for hydrogen-powered systems. Collectively, these innovations enable OEMs to improve equipment life, reliability, and sustainability outcomes.

From a strategy perspective, we’re strengthening India as a technology hub with a new facility increasing capacity by 60 per cent and a new R&D material lab in Bengaluru to localise testing and innovation.

With added PU manufacturing capability and the ability to produce plastics, elastomers, metal, and PU locally, we offer OEMs a complete, world?class sealing package with global expertise right at the customer’s doorstep.

With growing emphasis on sustainability, how is your company aligning with cleaner, energy-efficient, or alternative-fuel technologies?

Sustainability is integral to our global and India roadmap, and we are actively supporting CE manufacturers in their transition to cleaner, energy?efficient technologies. OEMs in the CE industry are accelerating their shift toward sustainability, adopting BS V-compliant vehicles, electrification, and fuel-efficient technologies. Trelleborg supports this transition through three focused pillars:

Sustainable material and circular innovation: We are advancing eco-friendly polymers and circular material concepts, incorporating bio-based, regenerated, and recycled materials to reduce environmental impact without compromising lifecycle performance.
Latest innovations and PFAS free technologies: Solutions like FlexCoat™ NG, Seal Glide®, and dual-layer Turcon® PTFE minimise friction, extend seal life, and integrate recycled content—supporting OEM sustainability goals and PFAS-free transitions.
Electrification and alternate fuel (hydrogen) support: Our advanced sealing solutions, including HiSpin® e axle seals and H2 compatible materials for hydrogen systems, ensure reliable performance under extreme pressures and temperatures—enabling OEMs to adopt electric and hydrogen-powered machinery with confidence.

These initiatives help OEMs achieve sustainability targets while maintaining durability, efficiency, and global performance standards.

How do you see the balance evolving between localisation, cost competitiveness, and global quality standards?

Indian OEMs increasingly seek partners capable of delivering global?quality engineering with local agility, and this expectation strongly aligns with our strategy. We are strengthening local manufacturing, materials development, and engineering capabilities to support India and the broader APAC region. Backed by more than a century of global expertise, Trelleborg offers solutions that meet international performance, safety, and compliance benchmarks while remaining cost?competitive for the Indian market.

Our growing R&D presence in India ensures that localisation does not compromise durability, zero?leakage performance, or reliability—requirements that are critical for CE and mining equipment operating in harsh conditions.

What is your outlook for the Indian construction equipment market in the next three to five years?

The outlook for India’s CE sector is highly positive. Government investments in roads, mining expansion, and urban infrastructure will continue fueling demand for technologically advanced, efficient, and sustainable equipment.

India is also rapidly emerging as a global hub for manufacturing, engineering, and innovation in the CE domain. As sustainability and advanced technologies become central to product strategies worldwide, India’s role in global supply chains will strengthen further.

Trelleborg is fully aligned with this trajectory—expanding capabilities, deepening collaboration with OEMs, and enabling next?generation sealing technologies that support the CE industry’s future?ready transformation.