Aspire to leave a legacy of integrity, innovation and environmental responsibility: Rajesh Sharma

RAJESH SHARMA, Executive Chairman, Ion Exchange (India) talks about his journey with the company and his vision for expansion

- Tarannum Manjul

You’ve been with Ion Exchange (India) for over 50 years. How has your journey evolved, and what are you most proud of?

It’s a privilege to witness and contribute to Ion Exchange’s journey over the past five decades. I joined the company in 1974 as a Service Engineer and was immediately drawn to its pioneering spirit and commitment to innovation. From my early days to becoming Chairman & Managing Director in 2011, my journey has been deeply intertwined with the company’s growth and success. I am proud to have led our export initiatives, which account for 28 per cent of the company’s turnover, with a presence in over 14 regions globally.

One of the key milestones I am proud of is our transformation into a globally recognised company in water and environment management. Our global expansion started with our first international plant in Malaysia in 1976, followed by projects across the globe. The recent acquisition of Portugal-based MAPRIL has strengthened our European operations as we aim to increase exports to 50 per cent of sales.

A major achievement was the establishment of our Centre of Membrane Excellence in Goa as India’s first fully integrated HYDRAMEM membrane manufacturing facility. As I look back, I see a company that has continually embraced innovation, sustainability and customer-centric solutions. My journey with Ion Exchange has been immensely fulfilling.

How do you ensure Ion Exchange stays at the forefront of innovation in water treatment and environmental solutions?

Continuous in-house R&D along with global technology partnerships are key to our success. This allows us to deploy cutting-edge technologies for our customers worldwide. We aspire to have 15 per cent of our revenues come from new innovative products and solutions.