Sunil David, Digital Technology Consultant.

What are the most significant innovations in industrial valve design over the past five years?

In the past five years, there have been quite significant innovations in industrial valve design, driven by advancements in materials science, automation, and digital technologies. Some of the innovations include:

1. Smart Valves and Digitalisation

Integration with IoT (Internet of Things): Industrial valves are increasingly being equipped with IoT sensors to provide near  real-time monitoring of valve performance, including parameters like pressure, flow, and temperature. This allows for predictive maintenance and early detection of issues before impending failures

AI/ML : Smart valves are incorporating AI algorithms for optimising valve operations based on historical data and current conditions, leading to better efficiency and reduced downtime.

Remote Monitoring & Control: Valves are now integrated into centralised control systems, enabling remote monitoring, diagnostics, and operation. This is especially valuable in critical industries like oil and gas, where valves may be in very remote or hazardous locations.

2. 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing

Custom Valve Components: Additive manufacturing is being used to create valve components with complex geometries that are difficult to achieve through traditional machining. This enables the creation of highly customised parts, such as valve bodies or trim components, to meet specific application requirements.

Rapid Prototyping and Reduced Lead Times: 3D printing allows manufacturers to quickly prototype new valve designs, reducing lead times for production and accelerating the time to market for new products

3. High-Efficiency Valve Trim Design

Improved Flow Characteristics: New designs in valve trims (the internal components that regulate flow) aim to improve the flow characteristics of the valves, such as reducing turbulence and pressure loss, thereby increasing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs.

Seating and Leakage Innovations: Developments in valve seat designs and sealing materials are reducing leakage, improving the tightness of the valve, and enhancing overall system reliability. Innovations in soft-seated valves, as well as better metal-to-metal seat designs, are improving sealing performance across various pressure and temperature ranges.

4 Electro-Mechanical Actuators

Increased Precision and Control: Advances in electro-mechanical actuators are improving the precision of valve operation. These actuators can provide highly accurate control for throttling applications and can be integrated with digital control systems for enhanced functionality.

Energy-Efficient Actuators: New actuator designs use less energy to operate, contributing to the overall energy efficiency of the system. Some actuators are now designed to be self-powered or require minimal power, making them suitable for remote and off-grid applications.

5. Seismic and Vibration Resistance

Valve Design for Earthquake-Prone Areas: Some new valve designs are focused on providing extra resilience to seismic activity. These valves are used in critical infrastructure, such as oil and gas pipelines, to prevent failure during seismic events.

Vibration-Tolerant Valves: In industries like mining and manufacturing, where valves are subject to continuous vibration, new designs focus on reducing the effects of vibration on valve operation, improving longevity and reliability.

6 Energy-Efficient Valves

Reducing Energy Consumption: New valve designs are focused on minimising energy consumption by optimising the flow paths within the valve body, reducing friction, and ensuring smoother operation. These valves help in minimising the energy required to operate the system, contributing to lower operational costs and improved system efficiency.

These innovations in industrial valve design are helping industries increase efficiency, improve safety, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance environmental sustainability. Advances in digital technology, materials science, and manufacturing processes will continue to drive further developments in this space.

How are material advancements (e.g., composite materials, coatings) and technologies like additive manufacturing influencing valve durability and performance?

Material advancements and technologies like additive manufacturing are playing a significant role in enhancing the durability and performance of industrial valves. Here's how these innovations are influencing valve design and functionality:

1. Composite Materials and High-Performance Alloys

Corrosion Resistance: Composites and high-performance alloys, such as titanium, nickel-based superalloys, and advanced ceramics, are increasingly used in valve construction. These materials offer superior resistance to corrosion, especially in harsh environments such as chemicals, high-temperature steam, and seawater. This helps valves last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements and maintenance.

Wear Resistance: Advanced composite materials, like carbon fiber-reinforced polymers, provide excellent wear resistance in valves exposed to abrasive media, such as slurry or particulate-laden fluids. These materials reduce valve degradation from friction, leading to enhanced performance and a longer lifespan.

Lightweight Design: Composite materials offer the benefit of reducing the overall weight of the valve without compromising its strength or durability. This is particularly beneficial for industries like aerospace or offshore applications, where weight reduction is crucial for efficiency and ease of installation.

2. Coatings for Enhanced Protection

Anti-Corrosion Coatings: Valves are being coated with specialised materials such as Teflon, epoxy resins, and chrome or nickel plating. These coatings protect the valve surfaces from aggressive chemicals, water, and extreme temperatures, preventing rust and corrosion. Coatings significantly extend the lifespan of valves in industries like oil and gas, water treatment, and chemical processing.

Abrasion-Resistant Coatings: For valves used in industries handling abrasive materials (e.g., mining, cement, or power generation), abrasion-resistant coatings like tungsten carbide or ceramic-based coatings are applied to valve components to withstand wear and tear. These coatings help maintain smooth operation and minimise performance degradation due to abrasives.

Thermal Resistance Coatings: In high-temperature applications, such as steam systems or furnaces, valves are coated with materials that can withstand extreme heat. These coatings help maintain the structural integrity of the valve and prevent thermal degradation, reducing the risk of failure and improving overall performance.

3. Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)

Complex Geometries for Optimised Performance: Additive manufacturing allows for the creation of valve components with complex, optimised geometries that are difficult or impossible to achieve using traditional manufacturing methods. For example, valves can have more efficient internal flow paths that reduce pressure drop, minimise turbulence, and improve flow characteristics, enhancing overall performance.

Customised Valve Components: Additive manufacturing enables the production of highly customised valve components, tailored specifically for a particular application. This includes parts like valve bodies, trims, and seats, which can be designed to withstand specific fluid types, pressures, and temperatures, ensuring maximum efficiency and reliability.

Lightweight Components: 3D printing can create intricate and lightweight structures for valve components, reducing the overall weight of valves without sacrificing strength or durability. This is particularly useful for industries like aerospace, where minimising weight is critical.

Rapid Prototyping and Reduced Lead Times: With additive manufacturing, valve manufacturers can quickly prototype and test new designs, reducing lead times and accelerating the development of advanced valve technologies. This helps companies bring new, more durable and high-performing valve designs to market faster.

Reduced Waste and Cost-Effective Production: Additive manufacturing is more material-efficient compared to traditional methods, as it produces parts layer by layer without the need for extensive cutting or machining. This reduces material waste, making the production of custom valve parts more cost-effective and sustainable.

Which industries (e.g., oil & gas, water treatment, chemical processing) are driving the demand for advanced valve automation?

Advanced valve automation is in high demand across several industries due to the need for improved efficiency, safety, and control in complex processes. Here are the key industries driving this demand:

1. Oil & Gas

Automation for Remote Operations: The oil and gas industry, especially in upstream (exploration and production) and downstream (refining, distribution) operations, requires advanced valve automation for remote control and monitoring of critical infrastructure. This is essential for operations in offshore rigs, pipelines, and remote fields.

Improved Safety and Compliance: Advanced automation in valves helps ensure adherence to safety regulations and environmental standards by enabling real-time monitoring and shut-off capabilities in case of leaks or other emergencies.

Enhanced Process Control: Automation provides precise control over fluid flow, pressure, and temperature, improving operational efficiency and reducing manual intervention, especially in hazardous environments.

Predictive Maintenance: With the integration of IoT and predictive analytics, automated valves in oil and gas pipelines, storage tanks, and refineries are helping operators predict failures before they happen, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

2. Water Treatment

Efficiency in Water Distribution: In municipal water systems and wastewater treatment plants, automated valves are crucial for controlling the flow of water, chemicals, and waste across various stages of treatment and distribution.

Remote Monitoring & Control: Automation enables water treatment facilities to operate more efficiently with reduced human intervention, allowing for remote monitoring and control of valves, ensuring timely adjustments to water quality, flow rates, and treatment chemicals.

Leak Detection & Wastewater Management: Automated valves are critical in managing water leaks, controlling effluent discharge, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. By automating flow control, water treatment facilities can minimise waste and improve water conservation.

3. Chemical Processing

Precise Fluid Control: Chemical plants require advanced valve automation to precisely control the flow, pressure, and temperature of corrosive, toxic, and flammable chemicals. Automation ensures that processes such as mixing, blending, and distillation are safe and efficient.

Safety and Hazard Prevention: In the chemical industry, automated valves play a crucial role in preventing accidents and leaks, reducing human exposure to hazardous chemicals. They also help in complying with stringent safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Batch and Continuous Processes: Both batch and continuous chemical production processes benefit from automated valves. In batch processing, automation ensures consistency and product quality, while in continuous processes, it ensures smooth and stable operations over extended periods.

4. Power Generation

Steam and Gas Flow Control: In both traditional power plants (e.g., coal, natural gas) and renewable energy facilities, automated valves are essential for controlling the flow of steam, gas, and cooling fluids. They ensure the optimal performance of boilers, turbines, and heat exchangers.

Safety and Grid Stability: Advanced automation allows for quick adjustments to changes in demand or operational conditions, ensuring grid stability and preventing system shutdowns. Automated valves can isolate faulty parts of the system in case of malfunction, enhancing safety.

Integration with Smart Grids: Automation in power plants is also being enhanced by smart grid technologies. Automated valves are part of the larger digitalisation trend in the power industry, contributing to the overall optimisation and monitoring of power systems.

5. Pharmaceutical and Food & Beverage

Sterilisation and Hygiene: In pharmaceutical manufacturing and food processing, automated valves ensure that clean-in-place (CIP) and sterilisation processes are carried out accurately. Automation helps in maintaining hygiene and prevents contamination during production.

Precision in Mixing and Flow Control: In both industries, automated valves control the flow of liquids, gases, and powders with high precision to ensure consistent quality and safety in product formulations, whether it’s for vaccines, medicine, or packaged food.

Regulatory Compliance: The pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries have strict regulatory requirements for process control. Automated valves assist in complying with these regulations by ensuring consistency, traceability, and process transparency.

6. Oil Refining and Petrochemical

Complex Refining Processes: Automated valves are essential in refining crude oil into products such as gasoline, diesel, and petrochemicals. The ability to control and monitor valves remotely ensures efficiency and helps optimise the refining process while minimising risks.

Safety in Hazardous Environments: Automated valves help reduce the risk of leaks, explosions, and chemical spills in refining and petrochemical facilities. They can also help quickly isolate parts of the system during emergencies.

Energy Efficiency: Automation helps refineries optimise energy consumption by managing the flow of heat, chemicals, and gases more efficiently. This is especially important in reducing operational costs in energy-intensive processes.

7. Mining and Metal Processing

Mining Fluid Handling: In the mining industry, automated valves control the flow of slurry, water, and chemicals used in mineral extraction and processing. The ability to manage these flows precisely reduces waste and ensures the efficiency of mining operations.

High-Temperature and High-Pressure Environments: Automated valves are crucial for controlling high-temperature and high-pressure systems in metal smelting and refining, ensuring stable operations and reducing manual intervention in dangerous conditions.

8. HVAC and Building Automation

Energy Management: In large buildings, automated valves are used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to optimise energy use and maintain comfortable temperatures. Automation helps balance airflow, regulate temperatures, and ensure efficient energy use in real-time.

Building Maintenance and Control: In modern smart buildings, automated valves play a key role in controlling water, steam, and gas supply across various systems, helping with predictive maintenance and energy-saving initiatives.

9 Automotive Manufacturing

Efficient Assembly Line Operations: In automotive manufacturing, automated valves are used to control the flow of fluids, gases, and lubrication systems during assembly. Automation helps streamline production, reduce human error, and improve overall system efficiency.

Precision Control in Paint Systems: Automated valves are also used in painting booths to control the precise flow of paint, ensuring consistency and quality in automotive finishes.

How are energy efficiency and sustainability influencing valve manufacturing and selection?

Energy efficiency and sustainability are increasingly influencing valve manufacturing and selection, as industries focus on reducing energy consumption, minimising environmental impact, and adhering to stricter regulations. Here’s how these factors are shaping the design, manufacturing, and selection of valves:

1. Energy Efficiency in Valve Design and Manufacturing

Reduced Energy Consumption through Optimal Flow Control: Valves that provide precise control over fluid and gas flow can help optimise energy usage in industrial systems. For example, valves designed to minimise flow restrictions (such as low-pressure drop valves) can reduce the energy required to pump or move fluids through pipelines. This is especially important in sectors like oil and gas, chemical processing, and HVAC, where even small reductions in energy usage can have significant cost benefits.

Smart Valves and Automation: The integration of smart technologies (such as sensors and IoT connectivity) into valves allows for real-time monitoring and control. Automated valves can adjust the flow dynamically based on the system’s needs, ensuring that energy is not wasted. For example, in HVAC systems, valves can automatically adjust the flow of air or water based on temperature or demand, improving energy efficiency in building management systems.

Energy-Efficient Actuators: Valves are increasingly being paired with energy-efficient actuators, including electric and pneumatic actuators that consume less energy. This helps reduce the overall power consumption of valve operations and contributes to more sustainable processes. The use of variable-speed drives and actuators that only consume energy when needed (such as on-demand rather than continuous operation) is a key advancement in improving energy efficiency.

Reduced Friction and Wear: Advances in materials science, such as using lubricated or coated valve components (e.g., Teflon, ceramics), reduce friction during operation, leading to less energy required to move valve components and reducing the overall wear and tear on valve parts.

2. Sustainability Considerations in Valve Manufacturing

Use of Sustainable Materials: Valve manufacturers are increasingly turning to sustainable materials to reduce the environmental footprint of their products. For example, the use of corrosion-resistant alloys, composites, and coatings not only extends the life of valves but also reduces the need for replacements and repairs, leading to fewer resources used over time. In some cases, manufacturers are also exploring recyclable and renewable materials for valve components, reducing waste and supporting circular economy initiatives.

Reduced Environmental Impact of Manufacturing Processes: Manufacturers are adopting greener manufacturing practices to reduce energy consumption, water usage, and carbon emissions during the production of valves. This includes implementing energy-efficient manufacturing technologies, reducing the use of hazardous chemicals, and improving waste management practices, ensuring that valve production aligns with sustainability goals.

Eco-Friendly Coatings: Instead of traditional coatings that may contain toxic materials (such as lead or chrome), manufacturers are increasingly using eco-friendly alternatives. Non-toxic, biodegradable coatings help reduce the environmental impact of valves, especially in applications like water treatment or food processing.

3. Sustainability in Valve Selection

Reduced Leakages and Emissions: Valves that offer better sealing technologies are being selected to minimise leaks and emissions, which is especially important in industries like oil and gas, chemical processing, and pharmaceuticals. Zero-leakage valves, or valves designed with advanced sealing materials (such as PTFE, PEEK, or elastomers), help prevent the loss of fluids, gases, and chemicals into the environment, improving overall sustainability and safety.

Longer Service Life and Durability: Valves that are more durable and have longer service lives contribute to sustainability by reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimising waste. Materials with better resistance to wear, corrosion, and extreme temperatures ensure that valves last longer, helping companies achieve their sustainability and cost-efficiency goals.

Sustainable Sourcing and End-of-Life Management: When selecting valves, businesses are increasingly considering the sustainability of the entire product lifecycle. This includes choosing valves made from materials that can be recycled or that have been sourced responsibly. Additionally, valve manufacturers are developing programs to take back used valves for recycling or refurbishment, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.

4. Compliance with Environmental Regulations

Green Certifications and Standards: Many industries are now subject to stringent environmental regulations, which mandate the use of energy-efficient and low-emission equipment. For instance, in Europe and North America, regulations require equipment to meet certain environmental standards (such as the European Union’s EcoDesign Directive). Valves that comply with these regulations, such as those designed to minimise energy consumption or reduce emissions, are increasingly being selected by businesses to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.

Regulatory Compliance for Emissions and Waste: In industries like oil and gas, power generation, and wastewater treatment, the use of valves that help minimise harmful emissions (e.g., methane leaks) and optimise waste management is becoming a critical selection criterion. High-performance sealing technologies, for example, are essential in reducing fugitive emissions of gases and chemicals.

5. Green Building and Smart Infrastructure

Energy Efficiency in HVAC Systems: In the construction and building management sector, automated and energy-efficient valves are being increasingly used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. These systems must meet sustainability standards (e.g., LEED certification) by reducing energy consumption. Automated valves that adjust airflow and water distribution based on real-time demand help optimise energy use in buildings, making them more sustainable.

Water Conservation: In industries where water usage is a concern (e.g., agriculture, manufacturing, water treatment), valves that optimise water flow and minimise waste are in high demand. Smart water management systems that use automated valves to adjust water distribution based on real-time conditions can significantly reduce water consumption and prevent waste.

6. Integration with Green Technologies

Renewable Energy Systems: In renewable energy sectors, such as wind and solar power, automated valves are being used to control the flow of fluids (e.g., cooling systems for turbines or thermal storage). These valves need to be highly energy-efficient and able to operate in varying conditions to maximise the performance of renewable energy systems.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): In industries working with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, advanced valves are critical in controlling the flow of CO2 from emission points to storage sites. High-performance valves with minimal leakage and energy-efficient automation are essential to ensuring the effectiveness of CCS systems

What are the key benefits and challenges of integrating AI and machine learning into valve operations?

Key Benefits of Integrating AI and ML into Valve Operations

Predictive Maintenance

Benefit: AI and ML can analyse data from valve sensors (e.g., pressure, temperature, vibration) to predict when valves are likely to fail or need maintenance. This helps shift from reactive to proactive maintenance, reducing downtime and repair costs.

Example: A valve in an oil refinery may start showing signs of wear (e.g., slight vibrations or pressure inconsistencies) before a complete failure occurs. ML algorithms can identify these patterns and alert operators, who can then perform maintenance before the valve fails.

Improved Performance and Efficiency

Benefit: AI and ML algorithms can optimise valve operation by adjusting settings dynamically based on real-time conditions, ensuring better control over fluid flow, temperature, and pressure. This can lead to more efficient energy use, lower costs, and smoother operations.

Example: In industrial HVAC systems, AI can adjust valve settings to optimise heating and cooling, ensuring energy is not wasted, and that comfort levels are maintained while reducing energy consumption.

Real-Time Monitoring and Analytics

Benefit: AI and ML allow for continuous real-time monitoring of valves. AI systems can analyse large volumes of data from connected valves to detect anomalies, predict issues, and even adjust parameters in real-time to maintain optimal performance.

Example: In water treatment plants, AI can monitor valves for leaks or irregularities, providing operators with instant feedback, which is crucial in high-demand or critical situations.

Enhanced Safety

Benefit: AI-driven systems can detect early signs of abnormal valve behavior or unsafe operating conditions (e.g., excessive pressure or temperature). This allows automated systems to take corrective action to prevent accidents or hazardous situations.

Example: AI can automatically shut off valves in the event of a detected system fault, preventing spills, leaks, or explosions in high-risk industries like oil and gas.

Lifecycle Optimisation

Benefit: By analysing historical and real-time data, AI can help predict the entire lifecycle of a valve, allowing companies to extend the valve's useful life. ML algorithms can analyse factors such as operating conditions, usage patterns, and environmental factors to suggest optimal maintenance schedules.

Example: A valve used in a chemical processing plant may last longer by optimising maintenance intervals and usage based on AI-driven insights.

Cost Savings

Benefit: AI and ML enable better resource allocation by predicting maintenance needs and reducing unnecessary repairs. Automation of valve operations also reduces the need for human intervention and minimises operational costs.

Example: In manufacturing, AI-driven optimisation of valve systems can lead to reduced energy costs, longer-lasting equipment, and fewer manual interventions, all leading to cost savings.

Challenges of Integrating AI and ML into Valve Operations

Data Quality and Availability

Challenge: AI and ML systems require high-quality, consistent, and accurate data to function effectively. In many industrial settings, data from sensors may be incomplete, noisy, or inaccurate, which can hinder the effectiveness of AI-based algorithms.

Example: If the pressure readings from a valve’s sensor are inconsistent due to calibration issues, AI systems may not be able to properly identify patterns or provide accurate predictions.

Integration with Legacy Systems

Challenge: Many industries still operate with legacy valve control systems that are not designed to integrate with modern AI and ML technologies. The process of integrating AI into these older systems can be complex, time-consuming, and costly.

Example: In older oil refineries, valves may be controlled by proprietary, standalone systems. Integrating these with cloud-based AI platforms that analyse real-time data may require significant upgrades or replacement of equipment.

Initial Investment and Implementation Costs

Challenge: Implementing AI and ML for valve operations requires significant upfront investment in terms of hardware (sensors, controllers), software (AI platforms, data storage), and skilled personnel to oversee the deployment.

Example: A large-scale chemical manufacturing plant may need to invest in new IoT sensors, cloud infrastructure, and AI-driven analytics tools. While the long-term savings can be substantial, the initial investment can be prohibitive for smaller enterprises.

Complexity in Algorithm Training and Deployment

Challenge: Machine learning models require continuous training using large amounts of data. For valves, this can be a challenge because they operate in highly variable and complex environments, and not all operational scenarios may be captured in the data used for training.

Example: ML models may struggle to accurately predict failures in valves exposed to rare or extreme operating conditions that were not well-represented in historical data.

Cybersecurity Risks

Challenge: As valve systems become more connected and integrated with AI and IoT networks, the risk of cyberattacks increases. Hackers may gain access to control systems, compromising the safety and performance of valves.

Example: A cyberattack targeting an automated valve system in a water treatment plant could lead to malfunctions, dangerous spills, or incorrect chemical dosing, posing significant environmental and health risks.

(The views expressed in interviews are personal, not necessarily of the organisations represented.)

Sunil David is an Independent Digital Technology Consultant with 30 years of experience in the IT and Telecom Industry. He is currently empanelled as an Independent Consultant in the Manufacturing and Process Control Practice Area with Frost and Sullivan India, one of the top Global 10 Research, Consulting and Strategy firms. He also consults an IoT and AI based Technology solutions firm, Flamenco Technologies in their Go to Market strategy, Branding initiatives and building of their partner ecosystem. Flamenco solutions address use cases around Connected Manufacturing, Digital Supply Chain and Technology Enabled Sustainability solutions. Sunil is also a Mentor to T-Hub (Telangana Hub), one of the largest startup Incubators in India supporting some of the most innovative startups.

Sunil, an alumnus of Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune (Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration with specialisation in Marketing) spent almost 20 years with AT&T India. In his last stint with AT&T, Sunil was the Regional Director – IoT (India and ASEAN). Sunil has had extensive experience in Business Strategy, Sales, Business Development and Alliance & Partnership building during his AT&T stints.

He is a very frequent speaker having spoken at more than 300 Industry forums both in India and abroad (organised CII, NASSCOM, ASSOCHAM, IET, PHD Chamber of Commerce, The Economic Times, etc), and leading Educational Institutions (IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIM Shillong, IIT Jammu, Symbiosis Institute of Telecom Management, ISB Hyderabad, etc., to name a few) on topics related to IoT, AI, 5G, Digital Transformation, Industry 4.0, Gen AI, Metaverse, Future of

Work, Cybersecurity, etc. Sunil also has been invited by leading business TV channels ET NOW and CNBC TV 18 to comment on topics related to India’s 5G rollout and adoption, the Telecom Act 2023, etc. He has been a recipient of a number of Awards and Recognitions (17 in total) from various Industry bodies and Media conglomerates in recognition for his work in Digital Technology Advocacy, Digital Skilling initiatives for Women and Startup Corporate connect (notable among them being – AsiaOne, one of Asia’s largest media conglomerates – India’s Fastest Growing Leader given in Bangkok in 2020, India’s Fastest Growing Digital Evangelist in 2021 and India's Fastest Growing Technology for Change Champion Award in 2023. Some of the other notable awards won being Top 50 Most Influential Digital Marketing Leaders in 2017 and India’s Most Influential Digital Marketing Leaders in 2022 conferred by World Marketing Congress and India’s Most Dynamic Leader given by Global Triumph Foundation in 2023.

NASSCOM Foundation and IBM India have planted trees in Sunil’s name for his contribution towards Digital skilling of women and efforts to advocate AI importance in India. He has also written a number of articles on topics related to Cybersecurity, Digital Transformation, Metaverse, IoT, 5G, etc., for leading business publications and technology focused websites.

Sunil is also affiliated with a number of Industry bodies and is a key member of the CII CTO Forum, CII National AI Forum, CII Northern Region Digital Transformation Committee, CII Southern Region Taskforce for Technology and Digital Transformation, CII Inst of Logistics, NASSCOM Foundation, IET Digital Communications Working group, Indo American Chamber of Commerce, etc., working on a number of National initiatives around Digital Skilling, Digital Technology awareness and advocacy, MSME Digital Transformation, Sustainability and ESG, Startup – Corporate Connect, etc.