Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

I have over 35+ years of experience in process plant and equipment design, with a strong focus on environmental solutions for industrial waste, wastewater, and air pollution control. My expertise spans the entire plant lifecycle—from concept and process development to detailed engineering, procurement support, commissioning, and operations. I have specialized in Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technologies, hazardous waste incineration, TSDF facilities, flue gas treatment, and evaporator systems, including Multiple Effect Evaporators, Mechanical Vapor Recompression systems, Agitated Thin Film Evaporators and Dryers, and crystallizers.

I have held leadership roles as Head of Design and Engineering at Veolia India and Arvind Envisol, and as Chief Technical Officer at Shachi Engineering. I have also been granted an Indian patent (No. 310318) for a nanoparticle-based desalination system.

After retiring from corporate roles, I started my own proprietorship firm, EPC Technologies, where I now offer specialized consultancy in design, engineering, and technology support for industrial waste and wastewater management, including advanced ZLD and TSDF solutions. My firm focuses on being a dedicated extension of my clients’ teams, helping them accelerate design phases, optimize plant performance, and reduce operating costs.

I am passionate about protecting the environment through sustainable engineering and closing material and energy loops.

Q2. At what threshold of industrial electricity pricing ($/kWh) does a ZLD system transition from an efficient recycling asset into a cost-intensive hurdle that compromises the plant's global cost-competitiveness?

Instead of specifying the operating electricity pricing in $/kWh, I would prefer to share the operating electricity consumption in kWh/m³ of wastewater treated, since the cost of electricity will vary on a case-by-case basis.  The maximum acceptable operating power is 55 kWh/m³ of wastewater treated until zero liquid discharge (ZLD) is achieved.

Q3. Are you seeing a shift toward standardized "plug-and-play" ZLD modules, or is the complexity of industrial wastewater still forcing highly bespoke—and therefore higher-risk—engineering projects?

In most cases, more than 90% of cases, standardized plug-and-play modules can be used, with some compromise on the operating capacities. Only in some cases will the model require modification. If we design the plug-and-play model on a unit operation basis, it can be built for any complex industrial wastewater stream.

Q4. Which specific technical features in an OEM’s MVRC design consistently result in lower annual maintenance downtime compared to traditional Multi-Effect Evaporators (MEE) in high-salinity industrial environments?

The design of the bearing system, mechanical seal, lubrication and cooling system, and the selection of the materials of construction of the wetted parts of the MVRC result in lower annual maintenance downtime.

When compared with the traditional MEE, the MVRC has fewer rotary equipment components, resulting in lower annual maintenance downtime.

Q5. Is there a viable secondary market for refurbished MVRC or ATFD equipment, or are these systems essentially "stranded assets" with zero salvage value once a plant is decommissioned or upgraded?

The MVRC or ATFD of a reputable company may have some market, but refurbishment of such equipment can still be handled by its OEMs due to its customized design.

Q6. Are you seeing a material shift toward "Fractional Crystallization" to recover high-purity salts (e.g., Sodium Sulfate or Lithium) from ZLD brine, and which specific industrial sectors are actually turning this "waste" into a secondary revenue stream?

Yes, most industrial wastewater generators are now aware of the wastewater treatment complexity and are segregating streams at the wastewater generation location. In most cases, the salts are recovered and sent back for reuse. This is done in industries such as textiles, mining, chlor-alkali, petrochemicals, and more.

Q7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management?

The following are some of the questions:

1. Which industry sectors is the company looking for in the market?

2. How is the company going to provide after-sales services?

3. What technology is the company selecting for the products?

4. Is the company looking for a local market or an international market?

5. How will finance and cash flow be managed by the company?