Indian OEMs yet to tap ATIRA’s expertise in composites

The Ahmedabad-based Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA) had quite some time ago set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for research in composites aimed at targeting business from the auto sector. However, while some OEMs have visited the organisation’s state-of-the-art facilities, it seems that the Indian Railways have expressed a clear interest in tapping the institute’s expertise. Speaking to Autocar Professional, CEO, K K Misra says ATIRA has been approached by the likes of the Railway Design Standards Organisation and the Railway Coach Factory.

Underlining this interest, says Misra, is the Railways’ focus on lightweighting and its attendant benefits that include fuel efficiency, particularly in light of diesel prices rising steadily. As part of its lightweighting focus, the Railways wants to first effect changes in the more upmarket train services that include the Rajdhani and Shatabdi where seating systems, rail bodies and aspects such as the washroom cubicle will be the first areas of focus.

The interest of the Patiala-based RCF has been motivated by the fact that there have been some rail fires that have destroyed rail assets and hugely endangered passengers. It may be recalled that in the bus segment, there has been an increasing interest in fire-retardant materials that can protect both property and life.

While ATIRA has positioned itself as a one-stop shop for the auto sector for solutions in composites, Misra maintains that costs remain a stumbling block for potential clients even though the auto sector’s interest in lightweighting is well known.

gujarat factor

Over the past year, ATIRA has added fire testing facilities to its laboratory as well as the modulus of elasticity resting equipment, says Dr Dipan Sutaria, who has recently taken over as the general manager in charge of the CoE. Sutaria, who has a doctorate in composites, brings a repertoire of experience to Atira’s CoE including a stint with Kemrock Industries and Exports. Misra is clearly hoping that with Gujarat emerging as an automotive hub, there will be greater interest in the facilities that the institute offers. As of now, just a handful of OEs are based in the Gujarat auto cluster that include Tata Motors and Ford India which will begin operations at its Sanand plant later this year.

While being focused on automakers for potential business, ATIRA wants its expertise to be used by other sectors such as manufacturing, marine and aerospace. That explains why it has looking at the use of natural fibres, sesame and jute. The organisation hopes to uses its wide array of equipment across several products lines.

ATIRA also wants to add RTM and SCM equipment at its CoE in Ahmedabad, Dr Sutaria says. Apart from equipment and testing lines, the organisation also has an incubation laboratory that is equipped with machines that can undertake dynamic metal testing and well as metal testing. While claiming that its facilities are among the most modern in the country, Atira hopes to leverage its tie-up with Fraunhofer Institute of Germany, a pioneer in the composites space, which has a tie-up with ACMA as well.

The way forward, says CEO Misra, is through alliances with private players. In addition, what would certainly help is funding. So far the institute has got about Rs 65 crore in funding but needs twice that amount

In previous interactions, Autocar Professional has learnt that the CoE’s focus as far as the automotive segment goes includes bonnets, gearboxes, tunnel covers and truck bumpers, samples of which greet the visitor on the capacious ATIRA office lobby.

Big-ticket business may still be some time away but ATIRA remains confident that it will bag some key auto sector projects. If it can interest Tier 1 players, then there can be no looking back. With more government support and a strong marketing push, things can happen.