Design For Life: India Without Plastic

Oltao, an Indian company, is committed to sustainable manufacturing, reducing carbon emissions by localizing production and using plastic-free, biodegradable packaging for its fans.

If you would see a growing manufacturing segment in India, one company really tries to set its own terms. It meaning not because of localisation of production, but with sustainability ingrained in every working process. As relatively new, Oltao has just taken the big leap to elevate very basic products into true next-generation home essentials, representing technological advancement, on one hand, and ecological conscience, on the other.

The notion of designing and functioning with responsibility lay at the very heart of Oltao's mission. In the early stages, an enormous import of Chinese goods was common for the company. It was reported that the import bill by Oltao from China by 2021 would be equal to the amount spent on payrolls in Rajasthan. This saw a major change in the last winters, with the start of assembly of fans inside the company's factory at Udaipur. Components almost 5,000 kilometers away by sea are now being trucked a mere 12 kilometers from the supplier.

According to Mehul Soni, founder of Oltao, "That shifts supply chain carbon emissions by about 2.1 tons per container." It is a major statement toward sustainable manufacturing in India and points out what may be achieved when innovation meets intent.

The company's policies on sustainable growth are not restricted to the product alone but extend even beyond that. One of the widely neglected contributors to environmental waste has actually been tackled. Traditionally, ceiling fans-(especially the ceiling units)-are packed with thermocol-type plastic; thermocol being petroleum-based, is neither biodegradable nor recyclable. Given such a backdrop, Oltao sought greener alternatives.

In the recent days, Oltao boxes are made from recycled kraft board, whereas the internal protective inserts were formerly either made of 'Polystyrene' or thermocol. Today, the moulded pulp stands in their place, being biodegradable and environmentally friendly. This way, the company tries to keep sabout 18 tonnes of EPS waste (thermocol) away from the environment every year, which otherwise could have equated to about 5.4 million disposable cups. As Soni puts it, "Each box costs us about ₹180 more. But if we don't act now, the real cost will be paid by society."

These are some of the changes that, at the surface, may seem somewhat expensive, but Oltao is really looking at the long term - to marry style with sustainability. It is thus more than just a brand for home appliances; it, in fact, represents a lifestyle wherein human comfort and the needs of the earth co-exist equally.

In the domain of products, it boasts nearly an infinite variety. From its patented Whisper Silent ceiling fans to graceful walls and table fans bearing smart modes and remote controls, each appliance sits with the modern and discerning Indian household.

Durability remained a foremost concern, along with easy usability. From energy-saving BLDC motors to integrated LED lights, remote-controlled settings, Oltao fans could very well be symbols of that smart, green future all speak of. This emphasis is continued from installation and setup right through live video demos; the end-user experience is put on par with the product itself.

Oltao took a stand: India can produce world-class products without any waste of materials or foreign supply chains. Everything about Oltao just shouts extreme thinking in manufacturing: produced locally, emission-lite, and plastic-free packaging!

In crazy times where everyone is chasing the quick buck, Oltao comes through fighting for the future: a local approach, smart shipping, and right packaging. This design will henceforth be judged not valuation of beauty or mere utility, but mostly on its footprint left behind by environmental damage.

(This article is from the Brand Desk. User discretion is advised.)