Uniflow Controls is investing ₹50 crore (US$5 million) to expand its annual control valve production capacity by more than five times, from around 8,000 units to 40,000–50,000 units. The expansion comes as refiners, petrochemical companies, LNG operators and power producers increase capital spending and seek greater domestic availability of critical industrial equipment. As part of the expansion, Uniflow is developing a new Industry 4.0-compliant manufacturing facility at Ambernath near Mumbai. The facility will also help the company enter specialised applications in the LNG and nuclear energy sectors.
Addressing India’s Control Valve Import Dependence
India currently imports an estimated 35–40% of critical severe-service control valves. Moreover, imported equipment can require 26–40 weeks for procurement, potentially creating supply bottlenecks as the country expands its refining, petrochemical and power infrastructure. Therefore, increasing domestic manufacturing capacity could help reduce import dependence while improving the availability of specialised control valves for critical industries.
Advanced Valves for Critical Industrial Applications
Control valves play a crucial role in regulating the flow, pressure and temperature of liquids and gases across industrial facilities. Although often operating behind the scenes, these components are essential to the safe and efficient operation of refineries, chemical plants, LNG facilities, power stations and pharmaceutical manufacturing units. Uniflow plans to focus on high-performance valves designed for demanding operating conditions, including high-pressure, cryogenic, anti-cavitation and corrosion-resistant applications.
Industry 4.0 Technologies to Drive Manufacturing
The Ambernath facility will integrate several advanced manufacturing technologies to improve productivity, quality and operational efficiency. These technologies will include CNC machinery for precision manufacturing, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems, AI-enabled predictive maintenance, computer-vision-based inspection, automated inventory and storage systems and flexible manufacturing for customised valve production. The company expects the facility to support faster prototyping, greater production flexibility and more efficient manufacturing of specialised control valves.
Building Capabilities for LNG and Nuclear Energy
According to Managing Director Manoj Mishra, the investment is aimed not only at increasing production capacity but also at creating a future-ready manufacturing ecosystem combining automation, engineering expertise and operational flexibility. The expanded capabilities will allow Uniflow to strengthen its position in the domestic market while entering specialised LNG and nuclear energy applications. In addition, the company plans to develop capabilities that can support its expansion into global markets.
Supporting India’s Industrial Self-Reliance
Replacing high-end imported control valves requires more than simply increasing production volumes. Severe-service valves must operate reliably under extreme pressures and temperatures while handling cryogenic or corrosive fluids and meeting stringent safety and performance standards. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, by investing in advanced manufacturing infrastructure and specialised engineering capabilities, Uniflow aims to address these requirements and contribute to India’s efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing of critical industrial equipment.
Overall, the Ambernath expansion positions Uniflow to benefit from India’s growing investments in refining, petrochemicals, LNG, power and nuclear energy while supporting the country’s broader drive towards industrial self-reliance and reduced import dependence.
