An Exclusive Interview with Dr. Babu Padmanabhan, Managing Director, Steer Engineering Pvt. Ltd. with Modern Plastics India (MPI) Magazine a Part of Modern Plastics Global Network
Can you tell us about the core values that guide STEER World?
At STEER, we believe that the means are as important as the ends. How we reach our goals is equally important as the goal of ‘Transforming Planet, Regenerating Lives.’ Truthfulness, we believe, is the foundational value on which everything else is built. We also make a conscious effort to make ourselves useful and solve difficult problems all the while ensuring thoughtfulness and being helpful. These are some of the human values that deeply resonate with our mission.
In the professional domain, we demonstrate swift results and outcomes and stick to our promises and deadlines. Challenging the status quo and taking ownership are what we live by, and the customers are at the heart of what we do and how we do it. In the end each of our human and professional values comes down to one aspect- making this planet and its people healthier and leaving no one behind in this process.
What are the core technologies and approaches that set STEER World apart from competitors and make STEER World a leader in the industry? How have these impacted the plastics and material processing sectors?
STEER has pioneered advancements in plastics processing, pharmaceuticals, and recycling, delivering solutions that significantly improve how industries operate.
STEER is transforming the plastic and material processing industry through its Intelligent Compounding technology. The Intelligent Compounding technology was an invention that I truly worked hard on back in 2016. This technology has the potential to transform materials that have never been imagined before.
To set the context, imagine creating wood-like material from commingled plastic waste. It has the power of bringing things together and converting them into materials that are not only better in terms of quality and usability but also good for our planet, creating great socio-economic value.
Moreover, in the Pharma domain, STEER is leading the change from batch processing to continuous manufacturing in the industry through our Fractional Lobe Processor (FLP). This is a far superior, efficient and safer way of manufacturing drugs with reduced errors and energy savings. While most in the country are still using outdated batch processing systems, we have perfected continuous manufacturing equipment and also the production of potent and hard-to-develop generics along with highly bioavailable nutraceuticals.
Another important technology that sets us apart is our patented Fractional Geometry Technology (FGT) This is especially valuable in recycling complex materials like XLPE and PET, as well as in manufacturing sustainable materials such as jute compounds and biophilic composites. Out Advanced Metallurgy & ACROLLOY Steels developed through in-house material expertise, have superior wear and corrosion resistance. Custom surface treatments make these materials ideal for demanding industries like plastics processing and pharmaceuticals.
There are also some key product innovations like highly filled jute compounding, which enables eco-friendly material applications. UV masterbatch compounds improve processing with lower energy consumption, while biophilic compounds enhance the mechanical properties of PBAT materials through the use of FGT, incorporating natural fillers like wood and lignin.
In the recycling sector, STEER’s technologies have enabled efficient recycling of challenging materials like XLPE and PET, turning them into reusable resources. Additionally, innovations like highly filled jute compounds and biophilic composites are reducing reliance on virgin plastics, promoting circular economy practices. STEER’s introduction of Sustone balls for denim washing further reduces environmental damage, replacing natural pumice stones with a sustainable alternative.
What are the primary industry segments that STEER World serves, and how do you tailor your products and solutions to meet the unique needs of each segment?
STEER World is dedicated to revolutionizing five primary industry segments—Polymers & Plastics, Pharmaceuticals, Food & Nutraceuticals, Biomass Processing, and Plastic Waste Solutions—by offering cutting-edge, customized technologies and solutions. Each of our segments benefit from the expertise of specialized teams, state-of-the-art facilities, and advanced processes that ensure customer success and sustainability. Teamwork is at the core of STEER.
We commit to innovation and customer-centricity drives us to create tailored solutions that meet the specific requirements of diverse industry segments.
We operate state-of-the-art Application Development Centers (ADCs) across India, America, China, and Japan. These centers collaborate closely with customers to develop custom formulations and optimize applications and products based on their unique needs. Each solution undergoes rigorous testing, leveraging our NABL-approved diagnostic center, ensuring unmatched quality and performance.
Our dedicated teams offer expert guidance from concept to implementation, focusing on tailored Formulations by developing precise formulations to meet specific material performance needs, ensuring customer satisfaction across sectors like pharmaceuticals, plastics, and food. They also enhancing operational efficiency by fine-tuning processes for maximum productivity, cost-effectiveness, and quality output.
Moreover, we are a company that places a lot of emphasis on R&D. We continuously explore novel materials and processing methods, ensuring our clients stay ahead with cutting-edge extrusion and material technologies.
STEER’s NABL-accredited Polymer Science and Diagnostic Center (PSDC) provides comprehensive expertise under one roof, offering materials development & testing along with global collaboration by partnering with organizations worldwide to create high-quality compounds, addressing complex challenges and driving innovation in polymer and material sciences.
Could you share some recent innovations developed by STEER World that you believe are game-changers for the industry?
We ensure that our solutions not only transform industries but also address critical global challenges. Recent innovations like UnWOOD, netiBIO Bio-Processor, Integraal, XLPE recycling, and Sustone exemplify our mission to create sustainable, efficient, and high-value solutions.
One of our proudest innovations, UnWOOD, is a revolutionary material created through Intelligent Compounding. This process transforms commingled plastic waste —which typically ends up in landfills or oceans—into high-value materials that serve as high-quality wood substitutes.
The netiBIO Bio-Processor is designed to address agricultural waste management and promote renewable energy by converting biomass into biogas. By utilizing agricultural waste, it supports a circular economy, turning by-products into valuable energy resources.
Integraal represents a significant leap in pharmaceutical manufacturing, offering a continuous granulation solution that streamlines the traditional batch-based processes. By integrating multiple stages of mixing, drying, and sizing into one seamless operation, Integraal enhances product consistency, reduces waste, and minimizes human intervention and time to market.
STEER’s advanced technology in recycling Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE), a material traditionally considered non-recyclable, is changing the landscape of plastic waste management. Our process transforms XLPE waste into reusable material reducing the environmental burden associated with cable disposal contributing to a circular economy by enabling reusability.
Sustone is STEER’s innovative solution for the denim industry, replacing traditional pumice stones used in stone washing with a sustainable alternative. Sustone eliminates the environmental hazards associated with natural pumice, which breaks down during use and generates waste.
These innovations underscore STEER World’s commitment to driving industrial transformation through sustainable, efficient, and cutting-edge technologies. By offering solutions that address global challenges such as plastic pollution, renewable energy, and industrial efficiency, STEER continues to set new standards in eco-friendly innovation, creating lasting value for industries and communities worldwide.
Can you share how STEER World balances the drive for cutting-edge technology with the commitment to sustainability?
STEER integrates sustainability into every technological advancement. Innovations like Intelligent Compounding and netiBIO prove that technological progress can coexist with environmental stewardship, driving both business growth and ecological regeneration.
For us, cutting-edge technology and our commitment to sustainability are not separate goals or commitments, in fact, they are inseparable. They exist together, and simultaneously, we don’t compromise one for another. That is the STEER way. One pushes the other forward. Keeping our goal of regenerating the planet and transforming lives in mind, we have embedded sustainability in our operations. We really believe technology can help in more sustainability and help the planet regenerate through innovation.
After all, innovation, technology and business performance are all symbiotically linked.
How does STEER World approach equipment life cycle management to ensure the longevity and reliability of your systems and products throughout their life span?
We have a very comprehensive approach towards life cycle management, and it is also one aspect of our commitment to sustainability, where we make products last as long as possible to minimise waste and unnecessary resource usage.
We have been providing emergency services, annual maintenance, timely upgrades and troubleshooting support to ensure that the machines deliver peak performance for their entire life cycle. There’s prompt global support within 24 hours and we also have video and online guides to best understand the issue being faced by a particular customer. We hold your hand for the entire duration of your product’s lifecycle.
In what ways does sustainability influence decision-making at every level of STEER World, from product development to corporate strategy? Are there specific policies or practices that exemplify this commitment?
We truly believe in a healthier planet with healthy people and this means embracing sustainability. In practice, this means that sustainability is reflected at each level of the organisation. Each machine, product, equipment, and process is designed to minimise waste and adhere to energy efficiency. Our ESG framework consists of environmental stewardship, energy efficiency, sustainable materials, resource conservation, climate change mitigation, innovation for sustainability, social responsibility and good governance.
This commitment is also formalised through various certifications and partnerships that we have enlisted on our website.
What makes STEER World’s products stand out in the market? Could you share specific features or benefits that address unique industry challenges?
The truth is, and I truly stand by this statement, that all of STEER’s products truly stand apart in all aspects, particularly technology and sustainability. A specific example would be netiBIO, our bio-processor that transforms biomass materials into biogas. It has the ability to transform biomass like agri waste and paddy straw into biofuel, meaning that it solves the problem of making agriwaste useful and does not threaten food security since it does not use food crops for fuel production. It enhances yields, efficiency, and sustainability in biogas production, agricultural waste management, and even other renewable energy applications.
As STEER World continues to expand, how do you ensure that your capabilities can scale to meet the demands of a global market?
At STEER World, we’ve been global from the beginning, and scaling to meet international demands has always been at the core of our strategy. With over 30 years of experience, we are equipped to address the evolving needs of the global market. Our presence spans key regions, including India, America, China, and Japan, where we operate advanced manufacturing, application development, and R&D centers enabling us to meet requirements worldwide.
To stay ahead, we continuously invest in expanding our capacity and capabilities. This includes upgrading facilities with the latest technologies, advancing R&D infrastructure, and building new capabilities in material science, extrusion technology, and sustainable manufacturing. We also focus on scaling production, enhancing product innovation, and expanding our workforce to meet growing demand.
These strategic investments ensure that we remain agile and prepared to meet market demands positioning us to lead the market, exceed customer expectations, and contribute to a sustainable future.
How does STEER World’s vision influence its approach to innovation and sustainability in the industry? What impact do you hope to achieve in the coming years?
The impact we want to achieve is simple- regenerate the earth and create a healthier planet. We have been leading by example so far we not only talk but implement. We hope that the industry as a whole transitions towards sustainability and reducing waste production.
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