OCTOBER / NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 2020 - ISSUE 11 Special Topics: SPOTLIGHT ON Johan Sverdrup: a Norwegian megaproject 7 JD Jones poised for explosive Regional Focus: Karnataka 11 growth Interview: IMI Regional President Mr Tarak Chhaya 15 With strong leadership, a clear strategy, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances, JD Jones Technical Insights: is a real force in the manufacture Compliant valve stem seals reduce emissions 13 and supply of fluid sealing products. The product range – including gland Could hydrogen be the ideal green fuel? 17 packings, seals, compression packings, PFTE products, etc – finds widespread Automation upgrade for Assam’s tea gardens 22 use in a diverse mix of industries around the world. The company has & MIDDLE EAST News throughout the Region: also forged win-win partnerships with many leading valvemakers, as Valve 2, 6, 9, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 24 World India & Middle East discovered when speaking recently to CEO The insiders guide to flow control in India, Iran, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Azerbaijan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, UAE, Bangladesh Mr. Ashish Bajoria. “When Covid-19 struck India in February we of course complied fully Specialist in : with the lockdown. But we did not Multiport allow ourselves to be cowed down by the situation, far from it. We continued Ball Valves to support our clients to the very best Distributors of our ability. Moreover, we used this Wanted period as the ideal opportunity to brainstorm about new markets. I am therefore delighted to say that since Available at February 2020 we have in fact opened JD CONTROLS up four new product verticals.” www.multiportballvalves.com Continued on page 4 NEWS NFC’s plans for a new facility at Kota by 2022 RIL - 1st Indian company to hit $200bn mcap A new facility of the city-based dles, which will be produced at Read more on page 2. Complex, with a NFC-Kota, will serve the needs capacity to produce 500 tonnes of the reactors in Oil transfer facilities in W. Karun Cluster of nuclear fuel bundles, will the vicinity and also elsewhere. Read more on page 6. come up in Kota, Rajasthan, in “We are absolutely comfortable wins order from GAIL July 2022. “We are planning to on our production and will Read more on page 8. produce nearly 500 tonnes of be able to supply whatever fuel but we have made a provi- demand will arise. Nuclear fuel Kuwait aims to double LNG capacity in ME sion wherein we can expand it supply will never be a problem,” Read more on page 9. in three years to produce 1000 Srivastava said. Drones ‘key to safety in NPP inspections’ tonnes,” NFC chairman and chief “We have made huge progress Read more on page 9. executive Dinesh Srivastava said. and there is very good physi- In all 1,500 engineers, technical cal progress. We expect that in Hydropower - multi-billion investment? people and workers will be another three to four months Read more on page 10. employed at NFC-Kota, and our civil work may be nearly approvals are expected soon complete. We have been able Floorplan now open for FCE 2021 Read more on page 12. from the union ministry of fi- , we have already will be increased to produce to able to spend nearly 35 per nance for this. demonstrated the capacity to 2,000 fuel bundles a year,” cent of our budget on equip- India, Nepal to expand energy cooperation Nuclear Fuel Complex is the only produce 1,500 tonnes of fuel Srivastava said. ment,” the chairman and chief Read more on page 12. place in the country where nu- bundles in a year. but we pro- The fuel bundles production, executive said. clear fuel bundles are produced duce only as per our require- as needed now, is 1,200 tonnes As many as 30 engineers have Contract for chlorine project in Jubail for supplying fuel to domestic ment. However, in the next few and is being supplied to nuclear been placed at the site and are Read more on page 18. nuclear power reactors. “At NFC years, if need be, the capacity power reactors. The fuel bun- working there.

valve-world-india.com SPOTLIGHT JD Jones poised for explosive growth With strong leadership, a clear strategy, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances, JD Jones is a real force in the manufacture and supply of fluid sealing products. The product range – including gland packings, seals, compression packings, PFTE products, etc – finds widespread use in a diverse mix of industries around the world. The company has also forged win- win partnerships with many leading valvemakers, as Valve World India & Middle East discovered when speaking recently to CEO Mr. Ashish Bajoria.

By David Sear

Talk to any entrepreneur nowadays and These are: injection moulded PEEK compo- the conversation almost invariably starts nents; laminar seals for triple offset butterfly with Covid-19. The pandemic has touched so valves & double offset butterfly valves; ser- many lives and impacted so many businesses rated gaskets / kammprofile gaskets; and that it cannot be ignored. Such was also the finally PTFE membrane/diaphragms.” case when Valve World India & Middle East In addition to identifying new product ver- contacted Mr Ashish Bajoria for an update on ticals, JD Jones invested strongly to ensure progress at JD Jones. the right customers would hear about the “When Covid-19 struck India in February enlarged portfolio. Mr Bajoria: “we stepped we of course complied fully with the lock- up marketing efforts ten-fold, hiring new down. But we did not allow ourselves to be people for the marketing department and cowed down by the situation, far from it. It is investing in digital campaigns. This has really not in our DNA to accept defeat. We therefore helped the business, further augmenting the continued to support our clients to the very growth that has followed on from the capi- best of our ability. Moreover, with many of tal investments made in 2019. This positive the team at home with time on their hands, approach means that JD Jones is now placed JD Jones has forged win-win partnerships with many leading valvemakers. we used this period as the ideal opportunity to jump explosively.” to brainstorm about new markets. We spent Asked to clarify expenditure in 2019, our time very effectively, calling customers, Mr. Bajoria comments as follows: “We wanted shipment within 24-48 hours. We are always we decided to establish our own test facil- researching markets, and identifying prom- to expand capacity, invest in automation, and happy to oblige.” ity several years ago. Today this features a ising new product verticals. I am therefore also develop high-speed, efficient machinery. high-pressure bunker, cryogenic systems and delighted to say that since February 2020 we Our goal was two-fold: to increase output Solutions provider three leak detectors. So far well over thirty have in fact opened up four new verticals. whilst further driving down the rejection valve companies have shipped out valves, rate.” Today, JD Jones offers a vast range of seals entrusting us to run tests to identify the Investments were made across all prod- and packings which are used in widespread optimum packing material for their valve uct verticals. “For example, where graphite applications across a myriad of industries. plus the intended application.” rings are produced we now have automatic Mr. Bajoria: “we have evolved into a sealing Minimizing leakage rates from valves graphite molding machines, the best qual- company with a very comprehensive portfo- involves much more than simply inserting ity braiding machines are in place to make lio. I believe we are the only company in the an off-the-shelf packing, explains Mr Bajo- braided packings, and in the fluoropolymers world that manufactures such a wide range of ria. “There are simply too many variables to cell we have started investing heavily in PEEK top quality sealing products under one roof. consider, in both the valve and the packing. and other fluoropolymers. Other expendi- We do not trade third-party sealing products Therefore, here in our workshop we can treat ture include high-end 3D printers, injection but have amassed manufacturing know-how the valve as a constant and then focus all moulding units, automatic presses, graphite and applications expertise in all the products our attention on the packing, making those cutters, etc,” states Mr Bajoria. we offer. This intrinsic knowledge underpins subtle yet important changes to the pack- With the final machinery and equipment our strategy to be a real ‘one-stop-shop’ solu- ing material, the way that material is put currently being installed and commissioned, tions provider for customers.” together, the gland load, etc, until we find JD Jones will soon benefit from a significantly Sealing products for valves continues to be the ultimate solution for the valve.” enlarged production capacity, says Mr Bajo- a core competence, stresses Mr Bajoria. “The Mr Bajoria further notes that all of JD ria. “Speaking about production I can tell you valve industry is very important to us, and Jones’ emissions tests are run using helium, that right now there is no dip in output vol- probably accounts for 40-50% of our busi- which is of course a very permeable gas. “If ume at all. In fact, we are currently shipping ness. Our customer list includes many of the valves pass the tests we perform here at our out more than our previous monthly average world’s finest valve makers with top names premises, we can be 99% confident that the in a peak year.” from the US, Europe, India, China, South-East self-same valve and packing will also pass Whatever the business climate, JD Jones Asia, the Middle East, Singapore, etc. Impor- tests performed by an independent test- continues to offer a very flexible service to tantly, such customers turn to JD Jones not ing house as may be required by standards all customers. “Some clients can be served just for sealing products as such, but in addi- authorities. That is because such tests are from stock whilst for others we make prod- tion for the extensive technical support that normally conducted using methane which, ucts to order,” explains Mr Bajoria. “This very the company can offer.” with a larger molecular structure, is less much depends on the unique requirements Customers have a high regard for JD Jones’ likely to leak than helium.” of each individual purchaser. Some place in-house testing capabilities, adds Mr Bajoria. Once the in-house tests have been com- From PTFE to graphite and from carbon fi bre long-term contracts whereby we ship bulk “To conduct our own research and develop- pleted, JD Jones then carefully stores away to wire mesh jacketing, JD Jones is without consignments each quarter, whilst for others ment, as well as to assist valve makers in the valve should future tests be required. doubt an all-round materials professional. with more flexible needs we can guarantee complying with standards such as API 622, Mr. Bajoria: “this industry is dynamic. National

4 October/November 2020 Valve World India & Middle East valve-world-india.com SPOTLIGHT

aside from competitors in low-cost countries. Clients are very positive when they discover just how automated our production lines are, the degree to which we have expanded capac- ity and the numerous product verticals we have developed. This strategy has been a real game-changer since 2018.” Materials professionals

From PTFE to graphite and from carbon fibre to wire mesh jacketing, JD Jones is without doubt an all-round materials profes- sional. Such wide knowledge has brought additional benefits given the trend for even more advanced sealing systems. “Many packings are now being made from combina- tions of various materials, such as a braided Mr. Ashish Bajoria is CEO at JD Jones. packing with fluoropolymer parts,” says Mr Bajoria. “To do this properly requires a deep knowledge of all the constituent materials. In recalls positive feedback from an Italian this respect as well, our expertise gives cus- customer who had placed a first-time order tomers extra confidence.” for PTFE valve seats. “This customer gave Exploring new materials and establishing us the opportunity to develop PTFE compo- additional product verticals is very much part nents. After extensive research and testing of JD Jones’ ongoing strategy, emphasizes Mr we shipped out the required seats, knowing Bajoria. “As a team we are all determined full well that the client would subject them to to serve customers to the very best of our very stringent testing. After a couple of weeks, capabilities and to enhance or one-stop shop we received a reply: the client was amazed as reputation. Sometimes new product verti- he had never seen such positive test results cals follow naturally once we have identi- before! Simply put, our seats outperformed fied new markets, at other times materials all other components they had previously research projects may be initiated based on received from competitors. Overnight this a customer suggestion. That is something company standardized on our product, which that happens quite a lot. For example, our gave us a huge boost. Of course, it takes fluoroplastics division has grown immensely expertise and good machinery to make a qual- thanks to client input. Our close liaison with ity product, but more than that you have to some of the global giants in the valve arena have the right attitude throughout the com- has resulted in a multitude of components, pany. You need heart. That really helps the such as valve seats, radial seals, special team to go forward even more. I reckon this parts, chevron rings, etc. Along the way we sums up JD Jones very nicely; we are striving have widened our expertise with materials for success and want to deliver optimum seal- such as PFTE, PEEK, TFM, PTCFE, etc.” ing products and services to our customers.” As an aside, Mr Bajoria stresses that fluo- roplastics should not be seen as a uniform group of materials which can be readily inter- JD Jones’ Product Verticals changed. “Each fluoroplastic requires its own know-how and in many cases is processed • Low-emission packing using bespoke machinery. But this is where • Graphite sealing products we excel; we go deeper into each product • Pressure seal gaskets and each vertical, always investing, research- • Valve seats ing, and developing. Customers know this. • Braided packing We are now in a position of trust, receiving • Packings for piston valves and global standards can change quite regu- low cost prices but are looking for a packing calls from customers asking us to provide • Specialized pressure seals larly whilst end users may impose additional manufacturer like JD Jones that can deliver products not even I our catalogue! They have • Fluoroplastics (rods/bushes/ requirements. In such cases manufacturers services as well. We are a customer-centric full confidence in our ability to develop a machined components) can request us to review the packing selec- company, looking to build trust and prove product from scratch and know that we will • Chevron packing sets tion and retest the valve. We are always our strengths as a back-end partner. Our goal not release it until we are 100% satisfied it • Custom-made sealing solutions happy to oblige.” is to operate as a boutique firm, providing will perform as expected.” • Laminar seals quality products and reliable solutions at Whilst discussing the early years of JD Investing in technology realistic prices.” Jones’ fluoroplastics vertical, Mr Bajoria This strategy also keys into JD Jones’ With this comprehensive approach to the decision to invest so heavily in production market, featuring continuous research and automation during 2019. “If we were to rely development, close cooperation with valve on cheap labour we would not survive. It is Facts & Figures makers, and the determination to investigate as simple as that. Our vision is to focus on Company: JD Jones the potential of new materials, JD Jones has technology, investing in automation and the Office & manufacturing: Kolkata broken the mold for packing companies, on-going training of our staff. This will deliver Key products: compression packing, expanded PTFE products, industrial polymer states Mr Bajoria. “The traditional way to the strong growth we want. Our approach is products, insulation, graphite sealing, speciality lubricants, low do business is to make a range of standard scientific. Within each product vertical we emission packing packings and then to sit back and let the consider all the processes required to make Industries served: breweries, cement plants, chemicals, fertilisers, food processing, customer make the selection. Such tradi- that product. Flow charts are drawn up so mining, refining, paint manufacture, petrochemicals, power plants, tional models will soon be swept aside. that we can pinpoint areas for automation. pulp & paper, steel mills, sugar plants, valve manufacturers Increasingly we are seeing how buyers are The cost is not the relevant factor here; rather no longer basing procurement decisions on how we can evolve and grow to set ourselves

JD Jones offers a vast range of seals and packings which are used in widespread applications across a myriad of industries. valve-world-india.com Valve World India & Middle East October/November 2020 5