The shift toward industrial sustainability
In India’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, the conversation around efficiency is beginning to shift from incremental improvements to more fundamental, long-term choices. Nowhere is this more visible than in energy-intensive sectors like paper manufacturing, where power consumption directly influences both cost structures and sustainability outcomes.
Dev Priya Industries, a leading manufacturer of packaging papers, including fluting, test liner, and recycled plastic products, has been working closely with ABB India to explore this shift through the adoption of higher efficiency motors including the newly introduced IE5 induction motors, reflecting a growing intent within Indian industry to align performance with future-ready technologies.
Traditionally, decisions around industrial equipment have leaned heavily on upfront costs. However, as energy prices rise and sustainability expectations become more pronounced, this approach is gradually giving way to a broader view, one that prioritizes total cost of ownership over the lifecycle of an asset. Motors, which account for a significant share of industrial electricity consumption, present a clear opportunity in this regard. While higher efficiency motors such as IE5 may require a greater initial investment, the gains in energy savings, reduced maintenance, and longer operational life often outweigh the upfront cost, making them a strategic choice rather than a tactical one.
Evaluating IE5 performance in the field
With this perspective, Dev Priya Industries collaborated with ABB to evaluate IE5 Ultra-Premium Efficiency motor technology in a real-industrial setting. The exercise was not just about testing performance, but about understanding how such technologies translate into measurable value in day-to-day operations. The pilot, conducted using a 30kW 4P IE5 induction motor, demonstrated encouraging results in the form of energy savings in the range of approximately 6%. These results were accompanied by operational flexibility, and improved thermal performance, all of which contribute to enhanced reliability and reduced lifecycle costs. These outcomes reinforce a broader industry insight that even modest efficiency gains can create meaningful impact when scaled across continuous operations.
An important dimension of this transition is sustainability, not just in terms of energy efficiency but also in the materials and design of the technology itself. Unlike many high-efficiency motor solutions that depend on permanent magnets and rare-earth materials, ABB’s IE5 induction motors are designed without them. This eliminates reliance on resource-intensive supply chains while also making the motors easier to maintain and integrate into existing systems. In a world increasingly attentive to responsible sourcing and circularity, such design choices add another layer of long-term value.
Globally, more mature industrial markets have already begun embracing higher efficiency motor classes, driven by a combination of regulatory frameworks, energy economics, and decarbonization goals. India is now entering a similar phase, where the emphasis is shifting toward balancing growth with sustainability. As industries expand and modernize, the adoption of advanced technologies like IE5 motors is likely to play a critical role in shaping both competitiveness and environmental performance.
A collaborative vision for the future
For Dev Priya Industries, the positive outcomes of the initial deployment have opened the path for broader adoption across its operations. As Amit Gupta, Managing Director, notes, the transition is aligned with the company’s long-term focus on operational efficiency and cost optimization, built on a long-standing partnership with ABB. This reflects a larger trend within Indian industry where decisions are increasingly informed by lifecycle value, resilience, and sustainability considerations.
Adding to this perspective, Sanjeev Arora - President – Motion business, ABB India & Regional Hub India and MEA - IEC Low Voltage Motors, emphasizes, “India is at an inflection point where growth and sustainability must advance together. By embracing next-generation technologies such as IE5 motors, Indian industry can set new benchmarks, demonstrating that efficiency, resilience, and responsible material sourcing can power the next wave of industrial progress.”
The collaboration between ABB and Dev Priya Industries illustrates how technology, when approached with a long-term perspective, can go beyond incremental gains to enable meaningful transformation. As India’s industrial sector continues to evolve, such approaches will be key to ensuring that growth is not only faster, but also leaner and cleaner.
