Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional journey, particularly highlighting your experience across specialty chemicals, water treatment, oil & gas chemicals, hospital disinfectants, and agrochemicals?

I am a Gold medalist MBA from IMI New Delhi, and started my professional journey as an equity analyst with a leading institutional broking firm in Mumbai in 1999. In early 2000, I moved to Hyderabad and started a dot-com venture with some industry partners. That ran till the middle of 2001. In 2001, I moved to Delhi and joined the Acuro Organics Limited group (it was a proprietorship firm back then). Since then, I have been instrumental in growing the business from a few products to over 800 products and 20000 customers across 30 countries. At Acuro - we manufacture, import, trade, export - a complete range of water treatment chemicals (including drinking water, RO, waste water, boiler, cooling tower and swimming pool), oil & gas chemicals (includes drilling and excavation, transportation and refining stage chemicals), complete range of hospital disinfectants (hand, surface, aerial, instrument disinfection), and some select products in agriculture field (non-pesticide non-fertilizer).

Q2. Sustainability and regulatory pressures are reshaping the specialty water treatment chemicals market. Which innovations in green chemistry or eco-friendly products are companies adopting to stay ahead?

Sustainability is surely becoming a core driver in the specialty water treatment space. Users are moving away from phosphates and other legacy additives toward biodegradable and non-toxic alternatives. Some recent innovations include bio-based scale inhibitors, enzyme-based treatments, and the use of chelating agents that are both effective and environmentally friendly. There’s also growing adoption of closed-loop water systems and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies, supported by green chemistry. We also see a lot of interest in bio-based surfactants and the use of sustainable packaging for powders and liquids.

Q3. With the growing adoption of automation, IoT, and smart monitoring in chemical manufacturing, which technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on operational efficiency and process optimization?

Digitalization is transforming chemical manufacturing as well as its use (at the point of dosing). IoT sensors combined with advanced analytics are enabling real-time process monitoring, predictive maintenance, and energy optimization. This prevents wastage of all resources - material, manpower, and financial. 
Technologies such as digital twins and AI-driven process control are particularly impactful, enabling simulation and optimization without the need for physical trials. These tools improve efficiency while also enhancing safety and sustainability metrics.

Q4. In the oil and gas chemicals sector, how are companies addressing challenges related to corrosion, scaling, and upstream-downstream efficiency, and what emerging solutions are showing promise?

Corrosion, scaling, and operational efficiency are critical pain points in the oil & gas sector. Manufacturers and formulators are responding with advanced chemical formulations—such as multifunctional corrosion inhibitors and scale inhibitors tailored to specific reservoir conditions. Additionally, there’s a shift towards nanotech-based additives and self-healing coatings that offer longer protection and reduced dosing frequency.

Q5. Hospital disinfectants and hygiene products have seen a surge in demand post-pandemic. From your perspective, what product innovations or approaches are helping companies differentiate in this competitive market?

Post-pandemic, the emphasis on efficacy, safety, and user-friendliness has intensified. Innovations include faster-acting disinfectants with broader pathogen coverage, non-alcohol-based solutions for sensitive environments, and products that combine cleaning and disinfection to streamline operations. Packaging innovations, such as pre-saturated wipes and automated dispensing systems, are becoming commonplace. Plus, there is interest in sustainable disinfectants that minimize environmental impact.

Q6. Across your sectors, how are companies leveraging digital tools for market analysis, customer insights, or predictive demand planning to drive growth and stay competitive?

Across all sectors, digital tools are being harnessed to gain sharper market visibility. Manufacturers, OEMs, and end users are integrating CRM, ERP, and advanced analytics platforms to track customer behavior, forecast demand, and identify emerging trends. Predictive demand planning, powered by AI, is helping align production and inventory with market needs. Online Media monitoring tools are also being employed, especially in B2C-facing segments like hygiene products, to adapt offerings based on real-time feedback.

Q7. If you were advising investors evaluating specialty chemical companies, what key factors or indicators would you recommend they focus on to assess long-term growth and resilience?

For investors, several indicators are essential when evaluating specialty chemical firms:

• Innovation pipeline and the ability to commercialize differentiated technologies.
• Regulatory agility—how adeptly the company navigates compliance across geographies and industries.
• Sustainability credentials—including green chemistry practices, circular economy initiatives, and ESG reporting.
• Digital maturity—particularly in operations, customer engagement, and decision-making.
• Customer stickiness through technical service models and solution-based selling, which ensure resilience during market volatility.
• Finally, a diversified portfolio across high-growth end markets is a strong signal of long-term stability