Arvind Agrawal
Senior Vice President, Havells India
How is the wires & cables market evolving in the country? What are the key demand drivers?
The wires & cables market in India is rapidly evolving, projected to grow at a fast pace, driven by several key factors. Government initiatives aimed at enhancing infrastructure, such as increased funding for affordable housing and urban development, are significantly boosting demand for electrical wiring solutions. Additionally, the expansion of renewable energy sources and the rapid growth of the telecommunications sector, particularly with the rollout of 5G networks, are further fuelling this demand. In this dynamic landscape, Havells is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends through its strong focus on safety, sustainability, and innovation in product offerings, ensuring it meets the rising need for high-quality electrical components essential for modern infrastructure and housing developments.
What are the innovations happening in wires & cables? What is trending now?
Innovations in the wires and cables sector are focused on enhancing safety and efficiency. Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on energy-efficient solutions, with manufacturers investing in advanced materials and technologies that reduce energy consumption while improving performance. The integration of smart technologies into wiring solutions is also becoming prevalent, driven by the demand for home automation systems.
Havells is leading the charge in innovation within the wires and cables sector by introducing a range of advanced products that cater to evolving market demands. Notable innovations include Halogen-Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) wires, which minimize toxic emissions during fires, and Heat Resistant Flame Retardant (HRFR) cables designed to withstand higher temperatures while maintaining safety standards. The incorporation of S3 technology enhances safety by significantly reducing current leakage, while smart wiring solutions enable conventional switches to be upgraded to smart switches, aligning with the growing demand for home automation. Additionally, Havells is embracing sustainability through eco-friendly products that comply with RoHS standards and is focusing on solar cables to support the expanding renewable energy market. Enhanced flexibility in cable design and advanced safety features further reflect the company’s commitment to meeting consumer needs.
What are the new developments in wires & cables for housing and commercial segments applications?
India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. This growth brings in significant changes in the country’s infrastructure with more advanced vertical building concepts and newer technologies. All these evolving infrastructure and technological growth is powered by electricity and as a result the quality of wire and cables becomes very important. There has been a paradigm shift from wiring that contain normal PVC insulation towards alternative FRLS-H, HFFR compounds, driven largely by environmental issues and safety concerns. We at Havells give consumer’s safety the utmost priority. Keeping this in mind, we are promoting the usage of HFFR insulated wires since they do not emit hazardous gases, and clear smoke. The low intensity visible white smoke HFFR is more effective during fire outbreaks since it reduces the amount and density of the smoke, which makes exiting a space easier for occupants as well as increases the safety of firefighting operations during any fire accident.
What are the key safety features in your range of wires & cables?
Havells offers best in class products that addresses the changing needs of market & industry. Havells wires portfolio includes HRFR, FRLS-H, HFFR, multicore round cables, submersible cables, telecom switch board, coaxial cables, LAN cables, CCTV cables, speaker cables and solar cables. In solar cable category, we foresee good business from this segment in near future.
We are among first few companies to get ISI licence for our HFFR range of wires, which are considered to the safest and most environment friendly wires in its segment.
Havells is the only company offering HRFR range of wire as regular product in the market, which gives additional safety to our consumers.
What are the changes visible in wires & cables with renewable energy sector evolving?
As the renewable energy sector continues to grow it depends lot on technological advancements in wires & cable, the demand is evolving to meet the unique challenges of renewable power generation and distribution. Key changes include the development of cables capable of handling higher voltages and currents to support the increasing capacity of solar, wind, and energy storage systems. These super-conducting cables are often designed with improved materials, such as high-performance copper alloys and specialized polymers, which enhance conductivity and reduce energy losses over long distances.
Moreover, with renewable energy infrastructure often deployed in harsh,
outdoor environments, cables are being engineered with better insulation and resistance to factors like temperature fluctuations, UV exposure, and moisture. This ensures greater reliability and longevity in solar farms, offshore wind installations, and grid connections.
Overall, the renewable energy shift is reshaping the wire and cable industry by demanding higher efficiency, enhanced durability, and more adaptable solutions for a sustainable energy future.
How do you view the future market demand for wires and cables? How are you prepared to meet the future demand?
The future of the wire and cable industry in India looks exceptionally bright, fuelled by rapid economic growth, urbanization, and significant investments in infrastructure and energy sectors. With the Government's ambitious electrification projects, such as the Smart Cities Mission and initiatives to boost renewable energy capacity, there's a substantial increase in demand for reliable and high-quality wires and cables. Additionally, the expansion of the telecommunications network to support India's digitalization efforts is expected to further drive the industry's growth. The push towards enhancing power distribution networks and upgrading old electrical systems in buildings across urban and rural areas also presents significant opportunities for the sector. Havells is prepared to meet this demand through sustained investments in R&D, a focus on manufacturing excellence, and a commitment to sustainability.
Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and innovation labs enable us to stay ahead of trends, ensuring we deliver safe, efficient, and eco-friendly products that meet the evolving needs of the market.
Overall, the wire and cable industry in India is poised for sustained growth, backed by strong governmental support and increasing consumer demand for energy efficiency and safety. Havells is also expanding its manufacturing capacity at its Alwar facility, ensuring that it can effectively respond to increasing demand.
