The World Food India expo 2024, held from September 19 to 22 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, served as a platform for industry leaders to discuss the future of food processing technology. Among the key participants was Bühler, a Swiss technology giant known for its innovative solutions across food processing, advanced materials, and mobility sectors. Ajith Dharan, Head of Consumer Foods – South Asia at Bühler Group, shared his insights on Bühler India’s journey, the challenges facing the food processing industry, and the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Bühler India: A story of growth and innovation

After 160 years, Bühler remains a Swiss family enterprise with a remarkable global reach and impact in food processing and advanced materials. Bühler's strategy is based on the deeply held values of Trust, Ownership and Passion – the principles that guide the behavior of every Bühler employee. We are driven equally by a strong sense of purpose: to create innovations for a better world.  With operations in more than 140 countries, the company is a global leader in industries such as flour milling, chocolate production, biscuits, pasta, and optical sorting.

“Bühler India started its journey in 1993 setting up manufacturing operations in Bengaluru. We started with design product transfers to India and building the equipment for India. With increasing market presence and with customer insights, we developed machines meant for the Indian market. Initially, we started manufacturing the rice milling machines but later expanded to manufacturing equipment for flour and pulses milling, coffee roasters, optical sorters and biscuit ovens,” explained Dharan.

He added, "Our family-owned business culture is driven by a strong sense of purpose, and our strategy is based on deeply held values. Trust, ownership, and passion are the guiding principles of our behavior."

Rooted in a rich history dating back to 1860, Bühler has continually pioneered innovation in the fields of food processing and advanced materials. From revolutionizing milling technology to introducing groundbreaking solutions in optics and die-casting, Bühler's journey is marked by key milestones that have shaped industries worldwide. With a legacy spanning more than a century, Bühler remains at the forefront of technological advancements, committed to driving sustainable progress for generations to come. 

Tackling the food processing sector's biggest challenges

India is among the largest grain producers in the world, producing over 330 million tons of grain in 2023 and by 2030 expected to produce 400 million tons. While India is mostly self-reliant on grain production, one of the major challenges remain the high food loss around 30%, due to improper storage, inadequate cleaning, material losses, and lack of awareness. According to Dharan, Bühler provides sustainable solutions that address these issues.

"Our focus is on providing sustainable solutions to minimize these losses. This involves improving yield, enhancing handling materials, and adopting better processing technologies," said Dharan. He highlighted that Bühler’s solutions address three key areas—energy, waste, and water—and the company collaborates with partners to offer systems that tackle these challenges effectively.

Bühler's innovations target energy, waste, and water reduction, helping to enhance food security and reduce the environmental impact of food production. 

Supporting an Atmanirbhar Bharat through innovation

At the World Food India expo, the theme of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) took center stage. Bühler is actively contributing to this vision by developing machinery specifically designed for Indian conditions, moving away from simply importing equipment. The company is focused on innovation within India, with local R&D efforts aimed at creating solutions tailored to the needs of the Indian market.

He said, “We have now embarked on developing more innovations in India, building R & D teams in Bengaluru for global market. This enables us to design and develop equipment for the Indian market. As supply chains shift globally, significant investments are coming into India, helping us produce world-class technology at affordable prices while improving food safety and hygiene."

Building a strong ecosystem for startups

Bühler has a history of collaboration with startups and academia globally. In Switzerland, the company has created the CUBIC Innovation Hub, a space where startups can work alongside Bühler experts to develop new innovations. This spirit of collaboration is also present in India, where Bühler has organized a startup sprint in October to identify and support local startups in the food processing sector.

“Recently, we had the Startup Sprint 2024 in Bangalore where 15 startups participated and pitched their solutions. These partnerships are not limited to equity or funding but can also involve providing startups with access to our technology and customers. While there may not be an immediate financial benefit for us, we aim to offer startups the tools and network they need to grow their businesses by connecting them with our clients and industry experts,” Dharan explained.

Bühler’s efforts to foster innovation within the startup ecosystem are a testament to its commitment to advancing the food processing sector through collaboration and technological advancement.

Addressing cost concerns for startups

The initial capex cost remains a significant concern for startups in India’s food processing sector, when it comes to investing in machinery. Dharan emphasized the importance of consumers to look beyond the initial investment. “The life cycle of these plant and machinery is over 10, 15 and 20 years. Any decision taken on investment should keep this horizon in consideration and not only look at the initial investment. It is important to look at the technology, the operating costs and the incremental value better technology offers. To summarise, we tell our customers to look at the overall cost of ownership and not just focus only on the equipment cost.

Addressing cost concerns for startups

The initial capex cost remains a significant concern for startups in India’s food processing sector, when it comes to investing in machinery. Dharan emphasized the importance of consumers to look beyond the initial investment. “The life cycle of these plant and machinery is over 10, 15 and 20 years. Any decision taken on investment should keep this horizon in consideration and not only look at the initial investment. It is important to look at the technology, the operating costs and the incremental value better technology offers. To summarise, we tell our customers to look at the overall cost of ownership and not just focus only on the equipment cost.

World Food India Expo: A platform for growth and networking

Dharan also highlighted the importance of trade shows like World Food India in fostering industry growth. These events provide invaluable networking opportunities, allowing industry leaders to discuss shared challenges and collaborate on solutions.

“World Food India 2024 is a unique trade show where all leading food companies come together to show case their products, innovation and new launches. The CEO Roundtable with Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Mr Chirag Paswan and key government officials from various departments provided industry leaders an open forum to share areas of concern to the concerned. It is remarkable to see that many of the issues were either addressed immediately or assured to be resolved soon,” he said.

Dharan noted that such events provide great opportunities for learning, sharing solutions, and building connections with industry leaders.

Bühler’s vision for the future

Bühler has big plans for India, aiming to double its manufacturing capacity in the next 5 years, with a focus on both domestic demand and exports. Currently, only 25% of machines are exported, but Bühler plans to double that. "We’re expanding to serve both India and international markets," said Ajith Dharan.

As Bühler continues to expand its presence in India, the company remains committed to supporting its customers with innovative, high-quality solutions. “We are here for the long term and are deeply invested in the Indian market. We stand by our customers and are committed to providing lasting value,” Dharan concluded.