AVI-OIL diversifying into high performance lubricants for various industries.

DW : AeroIndiaNews.com: How has demand for aviation lubricants changed in recent times. Has it increased or decreased?

J.R.NANDA: The overall demand for aviation lubricants has not changed significantly in the past few years – as it is obviously linked to the number of aircraft in operation. Though the Defence Services have inducted more aircraft, some of the older ones like HIG -23, MIG-25, Canberra, Iskra have been phase out. So the aerolubes requirement is almost static. Perhaps it will increase when the proposals to procure the 126 MRCA and 197 helicopters mature!

DW : AeroIndiaNews.com: AVI-OIL gets approvals ahead of the Services inducting new aircraft. What are the recent approvals received and any in the pipeline.

J.R.NANDA: It has been the endeavor of AVI-OIL to be ready with the approved products when any new inductions take place. This is in contrast to the scenario a few decades ago, when indigenous development commenced well after the procurement and often completion of the warranty period of the equipment. We have recently obtained the approvals for use of our lubricants on the MIG-29K/KUB aircraft which are being purchased by the Navy. We are now working on the products for C 130J Herculeus for IAF and Boeing P81 for the Navy.

DW : AeroIndiaNews.com: In view of your expertise for providing specialty lubricants to the IAF, are you planning to tap the civil airlines market?

J.R.NANDA: We already have our Aeroengine oil ‘Turbonycoil 600’ approved for the IAE V2500 engines of Boeing 737 and CFM 56 engines of Airbus A320 and the new generation Boeing 737 aircraft. In addition we have approved products for Embraer BJ 135 Legacy. Work on validation for the ATR fleet is in progress. Currently the Civil Airlines are more dependent on imports for their own reasons, however we expect good opportunities coming our way when the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centers of Airbus and Boeing besides other providers start functioning in India.

DW : AeroIndiaNews.com: What is the process to get approval for civil aircraft to use your lubricants?

J.R.NANDA: The process of product acceptance by civil airlines is quite costly and time consuming. The aeroengine oil has to be validated by the engine manufacturer for each model, and this often involves flight trials or controlled service Introduction. As started earlier this process has been completed for several engines, and we are in a position to offer the products.

DW : How has the procurement process with the IAF and other forces improved over the years?

J.R.NANDA: The IAF and other Defence Services have streamlined their procurement procedures with the promulgation of the Defence Procurement Manual and Defence Procurement Procedures. These documents have a provision for a Rate Contract for the regularly required items, and we are happy to state that we have entered into such contracts with the IAF for the supply of aerolubes. Similar proposal has also been made to the Navy. This obviates the need for frequent tendering and supplies can be made directly to the depots/units, who in turn are benefited through better logistic control.

DW : You commissioned a new lubricant manufacturing plant. What are the new products from there?

J.R.NANDA: The new plant was set up to produce synthetic ester based stocks. Lubricants blended with these esters too have received the requisite airworthiness approvals. We now produce within the country all the synthetic lubricant requirement for IAF aircraft. In addition we have opened up new markets for our synthetic lubricants, some of which are for the non-defence sectors.

DW : Can you please highlight what are the new applications and non-defence markets for your India-made synthetic lubricants?

J.R.NANDA: Firstly we are procuring a lubricant used in non-CFC refrigerant compressors. As out must be aware under the Montreal Protocol, all countries are expected to phase out CFCs. The Indian Railways is in the process of conversion of their air-conditioned coaches and are replacing the refrigerants in the AC compressors. Then we have a lubricant which is fire retardant transformer oil. Power transformers are often prone to fire which is disastrous if the transformer is located in confined spaces like basements. The use of this will considerably reduce the risk of fire spreading should there be a short circuit. Additionally we have a range of fire resistant hydraulic fluids for mines, synthetic gear and compressor oils for providing long drain intervals and high performance.

DW : What are the quality standards that your products and plants have received and what does the future hold for AVI-OIL?

J.R.NANDA: We have already received compliance with the ISO 9001 and the US SAE AS 9100 standard for our Quality Management systems. AVI-OIL is the only lubricant manufacturer in India to have received the AS 9100 certification. In addition our products are approved by the DGCA on the civil aircraft side and CEMILAC and DGAQA on the military aircraft side. We have taken 15 years to achieve this. In future, we plan to be a leading manufacturer of specialty lubricants for various industries and not just the defence sector.