NEW DELHI:An Indian company has emerged as the only one from Asia to have its large-volume air-purification technology implemented and validated by SNCF (French Railways) in face of stiff competition from other world-leading players from France, Germany, Spain, and other nation. This development is seen as a big success for the “Make in India” initiative.
Out of a wide variety of air-purification technologies screened and evaluated from all over the world by SNCF, Delhi-based Amida Cleantech’s technology emerged among the Top 5 to be deployed for testing at SNCF stations in France.
The French Railways approved and validated the Indian technology by running it in actual working conditions for five months at the Avenue Foch railway station in Paris. Amida’s home-grown air-purification solution, that took three years to develop, is now undergoing evaluation for large scale deployment at railway stations across France. Fifty stations are planned in the first phase, to be scaled up to 300 later.
Amida Cleantech’s technology synchronizes nature´s properties to create a unique synergy where the air becomes its own filter. It uses principles of advanced ionic science to break down the air molecules and capture/eliminate the pollutants. The airborne pollutants are transformed into coarse dust, which is then easily removed and discarded. Amida’s air-purification technology was voted the best out of the ones shortlisted from across the world by the French Railways.
“Ours is one of only two contending technologies — and the only one from Asia – to reach and achieve commercial scale, with such high levels of ionic science. The technology, fully developed in India, is patented and our proprietary knowledge asset. This is an example of the success of ‘Make in India’ program. For citizens of India, it provides a local solution against PM 2.5 pollution in public spaces,” said Siddharth Dixit, MD & CEO, Amida Cleantech.
He added: “Our technology offers a plug-and-play solution for large-volume air purification which can be installed at any private facility or public urban infrastructure. It ensures drastic reduction in volume of particulate matter, Nitrogen oxide and Sulphur oxide. This is done through a single process at the lowest operating expense in a compact but functionally and aesthetically well-engineered product. The technology has the capability to tackle both outdoor and indoor air pollution.”
“Our technology breakthrough innovation has resulted in large-scale outdoor air cleaning with the highest efficiency, in addition to semi outdoor and indoor cleaning. Amida’s technology does not use filters or chemicals and does not generate any secondary pollutant emissions. Thus, the running costs are limited only to the energy bill. It outperforms on efficiency and scale any conventional filter-based or ESP system, which suffers from low capacity, high operating and energy costs, and size restrictions due to technology limitations,” said Praful R Naik, Chief Technology Officer, Amida Cleantech.
“After our success in Paris and establishing operating parameter benchmarking, we intend to launch this unique large-volume air-purification technology in India and the EU this year. Our technology can help achieve carbon neutrality by enabling facilities to mitigate their carbon footprint and assist the India initiative in meeting the benchmarks of the Paris agreement on atmospheric pollution and global warming. We are in the process of expanding our technology into other verticals and geographies. Our R&D team is engaged in expanding the technology’s capability to cover other pollutants too, such as Carbon dioxide, methane and odor particles,” said Alok Kumar Gupta, President – Operations, Amida Cleantech.
“There in inadequate awareness in India about the need for air-purification solutions. Each year, many people suffer from the ill effects of atmospheric pollution, which, although becoming more severe, is no longer restricted to the Winter months. The concentration level of PM2.5 in Indian cities does not comply with the WHO standards most months of the year. With limited technology options, lack of awareness and restricted budgets, local authorities have been shackled in their ability to arrive at precise action plans to solve the problem. But now citizens are demanding a solution. Efficient and effective large-volume air-purification technologies like ours with low operational costs can provide a way to create -air zones both indoors and outdoors. With a million-plus deaths attributed to problems triggered by severe air quality in India, we should be looking at solutions in preventive healthcare. A reactive outlook has severe consequences and much higher costs to the country” added Siddharth Dixit, MD & CEO, Amida Cleantech.
The application areas for Amida’s technology include infrastructure (airports, bus terminals, railway stations, parking garages, urban tunnels), public interest spaces (schools, museums, public parks), sporting venues, hospitals and real estate (hotels, malls, commercial / residential complexes, and homes). The technology can be integrated seamlessly into existing air infrastructure networks such as TFA’s, AHU’S, and HVAC’S.
