Pi Green Innovations was established with the goal of making clean air accessible to everyone through long-term sustainable solutions. The firm creates technology-driven solutions to minimise particulate matter emissions both at the source and in ambient air. The Co-Founder and CEO, Irfan Pathan, diversified from the FMCG sector to Cleantech, it is his vision to provide sustainable solutions and contribute toward the cause of cleaner air for all. Pi Green can design and deploy customized solutions to address the challenges of air pollution at various levels. The technology can be effectively used to reduce emissions from sources such as Diesel Generators, heavy vehicles, industrial boilers, crematoriums, jaggery processing units, brick kilns etc. In places where Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) is a challenge, we can deploy the ambient air purification towers especially in crowded places such as metro stations, railway stations etc. For some very specific issues like smoking rooms in airports, Pi Green is developing products to suit these use cases as well. Filterless technology developed by Pi Green has been patented in the US, UK, China, the European Union, and Singapore, with patents pending in India and Japan.
Pi Green realizes a lot of potential for sustainable air purification solutions in India and around the world. In conversation with Manufacturing Today, Irfan Pathan shares future plans for Pi Green.
What are the innovative products by PI Green Innovations and how are they helping reduce air pollution?
Pi Green has developed the Carbon Cutter Machines, a retrofit for diesel generators and heavy vehicles, using its patented ‘Filterless’ technology, which is one of the company’s fundamental solutions. The company completed over 150 DG retrofit installations in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Delhi NCR. To reduce pollution at the source, the company has developed after-treatment solutions for industrial boilers, crematoriums, jaggery processing units, and brick kilns. Pi Green has also designed RepAir, a filterless ambient air-purification tower that can be installed in public spaces such as metro stations, railway stations, and industrial enterprises to improve ambient air quality.
Could you tell us about the government collaborations of PI Green Innovations and how are these collaborations addressing the public health scare in the form of air pollution?
All DG sets operating in India are ordered to reduce Particulate Matter Emissions by 70% by installing a retrofit device or by converting to gas-based engines, by the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) order dated 06/08/2019. Various State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) have issued directives to all DG set operators within their authority, including Tamil Nadu, J&K, and Haryana. The Carbon Cutter Machine, a DG set retrofit, is developed to decrease PM emissions from DG sets. This product is tested as per ISO 8178 standards on D2 5 mode cycle test method in CPCB approved labs where the PM reduction efficiency was over 70%. Thus it is a compliant product. Further, the CPCB published the Systems and Procedure for Retrofit Emission Control Device (RECD) certification policy on the 1st Feb 2022. We have applied for certifying the Carbon Cutter as per this new policy as well. We will launch a “Certified Retrofit Emission Control Device” by end of May’2022.
Health and Economic impact of air pollution in India
Air pollution has been linked to a variety of human health impacts, including increased respiratory symptoms, hospitalisation for heart or lung ailments, and even premature mortality. According to research, air pollution costs Indian businesses USD 95 billion or 3% of India’s GDP every year. India’s missing employees Lost labour productivity costs Indian businesses USD 30 billion. IT sector loses USD 1.3 billion due to pollution-induced productivity loss per year. India’s suffocating consumer economy decreased consumer footfall costs the economy USD 22 billion. USD 1.7 billion every year India’s burgeoning health crisis Premature mortality.
Funding details and plan
Pi Green received approximately $4.5 million in Series A funding led by Opus Consulting’s Investment Fund and other strategic investors in October 2021. Mr Harshal Morde, director of Morde Foods, has previously invested $300,000 in angel funding to help the organisation achieve its goal of making clean air accessible to everyone.
Pi Green intends to use the funds to establish a full-fledged R&D centre for product development, testing, and certification, as well as to explore innovative methods to combat diverse types of emissions. The Company plans to invest heavily in expanding its manufacturing capabilities and establishing a pan-India sales network. The company is also exploring opportunities in international markets like the Asian sub-continent, SE Asia and Europe. Furthermore, plans are in the works to open a new plant in South India.
Observation after Certification Policy for RECD
We welcome the CPCB’s initiative in publishing the RECD certification policy on the 1st Feb 2022, several requirements are mandated herein to ensure that the objective of PM reduction from DG set is implemented in the right spirit. For example, a by-pass system in RECD is now prohibited, earlier this system was used as a cheat mechanism by some users of DG sets. Another point added to the certification policy is that while PM is being reduced, no increase in any secondary emission will be allowed. It is a very comprehensive document clearly articulating the technical expectation from the RECD manufacturers to ensure that going forward only the technical most competent solutions are introduced in the market. The implementation of this policy in the country will help in the reduction of PM emissions on a large scale.