The Indian Parliament and the Bharat Mandapam are both iconic structures that symbolize the country’s political and cultural legacy. Business North East (BNE) recently spoke to Mala Roy, the Managing Director of Thermacool, a business unit devoted to tackling India’s extreme heat tests and endorsing a more sustainable future whose product was used in these iconic structures. Thermacool’s ground-breaking cooling technology, developed at IIT Bombay, has established to be a game-changer in dipping energy consumption while enhancing quality of life. Mala Roy shared insights into the company’s journey, its produces, and the role of sustainability in its operations.
Excerpts of the interview are as under:-
BNE: What inspired you to start Thermacool, and how has the journey been so far?
Mala Roy: Thermacool was founded with the goal of resolving India's extreme heat tests and contributing to a more supportable future. The ground-breaking cooling technology developed at IIT Bombay encouraged us, as it had the potential to meaningfully impact energy consumption and excellence of life. This innovation was a flagship Phd subject at IIT Bombay, which was completed in record time we knew it had the potential to make a real alteration. While the trip has been inspiring, it has also been incredibly satisfying, particularly as we observe our product making a optimistic change.
BNE: What is the Core Mission and Vision of Thermacool?
Mala Roy: Our core mission is to create a bearable and energy-efficient future for India and beyond. We want to help combat the awe-inspiring effects of global warming and the urban heat island effect by making cooling open to everyone, even animals like cattle who suffer in extreme temperatures. We imagine a world where ground-breaking answers like Thermacool contribute to reducing carbon footprints, lowering energy costs, and purifying living conditions for all.
BNE: How has Thermacool evolved since its inception?
Mala Roy: Since our beginning, Thermacool has grown from presenting this technology to cooperating on prestigious projects, including the Bharat Mandapam and the New Parliament Building. These businesses have significantly enhanced our product's trustworthiness.
BNE: What are the key products and solutions Thermacool offers?
Mala Roy: Our flagship product, the patented Solar Heat Reflective cool roof solution namely 03.C (For concrete) and 0,3M (For metal), are unique coatings that reflects solar heat and reduces indoor temperatures. This results in significant energy savings especially in air conditioning costs and increased comfort.
BNE: What makes Thermacool's technology or products unique in the market?
Mala Roy: Thermacool's technology stands out due to its scientific foundation, proven real-world performance, and customization for Indian climates. As a "Make in India" product, it is effective, easy to apply, long-lasting, and cost-efficient. The results speak for themselves — lower energy bills, reduced carbon emissions, and improved comfort.
BNE: Please tell us about your clientele and success stories?
Mala Roy: We have had the privilege of working with respected clients such as Shapoorji Pallonji, IOCL, Amul, CPWD, Tata Steels, NDDB , Defence and on significant projects like the Bharat Mandapam and the New Parliament Building. These partnerships demonstrate the trust that these institutions place in our solutions.
BNE: How does Thermacool ensure quality and innovation in its offerings?
Mala Roy: At Thermacool, we ensure quality and innovation through rigorous research, development, and quality control. Our products are Griha and IGBC certified and meet BIS standards. We also maintain close collaborations with experts and institutions like IIT Bombay to continuously improve our offerings.
BNE: How do you differentiate Thermacool from competitors?
Mala Roy: Thermacool differentiates itself through scientific trustworthiness from IIT Bombay, proven performance, a commitment to sustainability, and a track record of fruitful schemes. Thermacool is a patented for both the product and process. We offer a solution to a real-world problem with a significant impact on energy consumption, costs, and environmental sustainability. We are the only company offering separate products for metal and concrete shells.
BNE: What strategies have helped Thermacool gain market traction?
Mala Roy: Our primary strategy for gaining market traction has been building trust by focusing on quality, transparency, and delivering tangible results. Partnering with credible institutions and undertaking large-scale projects have been instrumental in establishing our reputation.
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BNE: Are there any expansion plans for Thermacool in domestic or international markets?
Mala Roy: We are actively exploring expansion opportunities both domestically and internationally. Within India, we are targeting regions with extreme heat, while internationally, we are in discussions to introduce our "Make in India" innovation to tropic and sub tropic markets regions that prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability.
BNE: What were some of the biggest challenges Thermacool faced, and how did you overcome them?
Mala Roy: We have faced challenges in building awareness and founding trust, but perseverance, consistent presentation, and strong partnerships have been key to overcoming them. Establishing a good quality product backed with focused exploration while opposing with lower grade replacements in a price subtle market in itself is a trial.
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BNE: How has Thermacool adapted to changing market trends and customer needs?
Mala Roy: Thermacool remains flexible to altering market inclinations and customer wants by being responsive to feedback. We continually improve product performance, simplify application procedures, and offer customized answers that align with evolving sustainability and energy competence priorities.
BNE: What role does sustainability play in your business operations?
Mala Roy: Sustainability is a core value of our business. By reducing heat absorption and energy consumption, our product directly contributes to lowering carbon footprints.
BNE: Please let us know if you have any plans to expand in the northeast or any clientele so far.
Mala Roy: We are also exploring expansion opportunities in the northeast region of India due to its climate and infrastructure needs. We welcome collaborations on projects that align with our mission.