MR. MANOJ CHAUDHARI

Q. How do you see the global lubricant and specialty oil market evolving in the next five years, and what role will Raj Petro play in shaping this landscape? Also, with electric vehicle revolution, how is Raj Petro positioning itself in this transition?

The global transformer oil market is expected to experience steady growth over the next five years, and this will be driven by following points. 

• Rising Demand for Electricity & Grid Expansion - Rapid urbanization and industrialization, particularly in emerging economies like India, China, and Southeast Asia, will drive investments in power Generation, Transmission & Distribution (T&D). Also, many countries are upgrading their aging power grids to support renewable energy integration, requiring more transformers and, consequently, more transformer oil. 

• Shift Toward Bio-Based & Sustainable Transformer Oils – As world is moving towards sustainability due to rising environmental concerns and stricter regulations (like REACH & RoHS in Europe) are pushing the industry toward bio-based and biodegradable ester oils as alternatives to conventional mineralbased transformer oils. Although currently these products are more expensive, but ester oils offer advantages like higher flash points, biodegradability, and better fire safety, making them attractive for eco-conscious utilities.

 • Growth in Renewable Energy & Smart Grid Investments - Increased investments in solar and wind power projects are creating demand for transformers that can handle variable loads. This will directly impact the need for specialty transformer oils with better oxidation stability and dielectric properties. The rise of smart grids and digital substations will also influence the transformer oil market, as advanced transformers require oils with enhanced thermal and electrical properties.

 • Impact of EV Infrastructure Growth - The push for electric vehicle (EV) charging networks will drive demand for distribution transformers and specialized transformer oils capable of withstanding high frequency switching operations. 

 The transformer oil market is set to grow over the next five years, with bio-based oils gaining traction and demand increasing due to power grid modernization. The shift toward sustainability, renewables, and digital grids will define market dynamics, offering opportunities for innovation in high-performance transformer oils.

Q. With the increasing demand for reliable and long-lasting transformer oils, how is Raj Petro innovating to enhance the performance and lifespan of insulating fluids?

 Raj Petro is one of the leading Transformer Oil manufacturers in India catering to more than 95 countries worldwide. We have well established R&D certified by Department of Scientific & Industrial Research -DSIR since 2001 with two plants strategically located at Silvassa & Chennai to cater northern, & southern part of India. RPSPL has introduced ELECTROL Plus category Mineral Oils in & Sustainable Ester fluids in 2020 to enhance the performance & life span of insulating fluids.

Q. How do your insulating fluids comply with global regulatory standards such as IEC, ASTM, and BIS, and how do they differ from competitor offerings?

Raj Petro has well established NABL Accredited labs at both Silvassa & Chennai Plants. These labs regularly participate in Round Robin Tests, Proficiency testing & ILC with International / National Labs. Raj Petro’s ELECTROL Insulating fluids have excellent extended performance complying with global regulatory standards like - IEC, ASTM, and BIS as compared to competitor offerings.

Q. What role does Raj Petro’s R&D play in developing nextgeneration transformer oils with improved oxidation stability and lower sludge formation?

 Raj Petro’s DSIR Certified R&D centre has highly qualified scientists working with a long-term vision on various insulating fluids. They publish their research work in various International & National Conferences such as CIGRE, Condition Monitoring & Diagnostics (IEEE), Trafotech, Tech-IT, Capacit, Cable Wire, GRIDCON, INSULEC etc. Raj Petro has published more than 34 technical papers in these conferences & filed 5 Indian Patents and obtained 4- Intellectual property rights with Grant Certificates. With a long-term vison RPSPL’s R&D has developed next generation Sustainable Esterbased fluids & Bio based insulating fluids with excellent Oxidation Stability & with lower sludge formation.

Q. With increasing power demands and grid modernization, how are your insulating fluids helping utilities enhance transformer efficiency and reliability?

Electricity is the lifeline powering every conceivable activity in the world. For large and growing urban agglomerations driving economic growth, the uninterrupted availability of quality electrical power is crucial. Demands on the performance of transmission equipment in the world have been constantly growing for the past 20-25 years in India. New transmission systems are continuously created and energized to meet ever growing demands for electrical power in India. Electrol & Bioelectrol insulating fluids are fundamentally designed to cater to increasing power demands to enhance transformer efficiency & reliability.

Q. After celebrating its 15th glorious edition, Elecrama 2025 is coming up with a bang with its 16th edition so what kind of expectations are you looking for from this mega event?

ELECRAMA has always been the MAHAKUMBH of the Electrical Industry, providing an unparalleled platform to connect with industry experts, explore innovations, and gain insights into emerging technologies. It plays a crucial role in understanding market dynamics and staying ahead of the curve.  As we look forward to ELECRAMA 2025, the focus will be on smart grids, digital substations, energy efficiency, and sustainable solutions, shaping the future of the industry. This edition is again promising yet another great opportunity to engage, learn, and drive meaningful collaborations. Excited for yet another insightful experience!