New Kaniyur Facility boosts capacity, slashes emissions and positions KBL for global petroleum market growth

Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL), India’s flagship fluid management company, has inaugurated a new factory building at its Kaniyur Manufacturing Facility, reinforcing its manufacturing footprint as it commemorates 100 years since producing and installing India’s first centrifugal pump in 1926.

The expansion represents more than a capacity addition. It signals a strategic pivot toward sustainable manufacturing, high-efficiency operations, and global market competitiveness—particularly in the petroleum segment where precision, certification, and reliability are non-negotiable.

Scaling for a Century Ahead

Designed to enhance productivity and operational efficiency, the new facility strengthens KBL’s ability to meet rising domestic and international demand without compromising on quality. The plant integrates modern manufacturing systems aimed at optimizing throughput while maintaining stringent engineering standards that have defined the company for over a century.

The timing is deliberate. As India’s infrastructure spending accelerates and global demand for energy-efficient pumping solutions intensifies, KBL is positioning itself as both a legacy manufacturer and a forward-looking industrial competitor.

Sustainability at the Core

A defining feature of the new Kaniyur facility is its sustainability architecture. Approximately 80 per cent of its electricity requirements are sourced from renewable energy. This shift is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 122.5 tCO₂e while cutting Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 89 per cent—a significant reduction by industrial standards.

Beyond environmental impact, the economics are compelling. The solar power installation is projected to deliver annual savings of approximately Rs 21.64 lakh, underscoring the growing financial case for clean energy integration in heavy manufacturing.

At a time when ESG performance increasingly influences investor sentiment and global procurement decisions, KBL’s sustainability metrics position it competitively within both domestic and export markets.

Expanding Petroleum Market Ambitions

The facility expansion coincides with a major commercial milestone: KBL’s recent order to supply 14,000 pumps for petroleum applications. Equipped with ATEX-certified submersible turbine pumps, the company is now directly competing with established global players in the retail petroleum equipment market.

ATEX certification—critical for equipment operating in explosive atmospheres—signals KBL’s adherence to rigorous international safety and performance standards. This development strengthens its credentials in high-risk, high-specification segments traditionally dominated by multinational manufacturers.

A Legacy of Infrastructure Leadership

Founded over 138 years ago, KBL has played a foundational role in India’s irrigation networks, water supply systems, power generation projects, and large-scale infrastructure developments. From agricultural water management to industrial fluid handling, the company’s products have been embedded in nation-building efforts across sectors.

The Kaniyur expansion reflects a continuation of that trajectory—leveraging legacy expertise while investing in advanced, environmentally responsible manufacturing.

Strategic Outlook

As global supply chains recalibrate and sustainability becomes a competitive differentiator rather than a compliance requirement, KBL’s dual focus on capacity expansion and carbon reduction could prove strategically decisive. By aligning operational efficiency with climate responsibility, the company is positioning itself for long-term relevance in an increasingly regulated and performance-driven industrial landscape.

A century after manufacturing India’s first centrifugal pump, Kirloskar Brothers Limited appears intent not merely on celebrating history—but on engineering the next phase of industrial growth.