Mahesh Kudhav: Think Global, but Act Local
From pioneering indigenous respiratory protection to shaping national standards and expanding into air and medical filtration, Venus Safety & Health has quietly built one of India’s most robust safety ecosystems. Mahesh Kudhav, Managing Director, speaks with Divya Shetty on innovation, policy support, sustainability, and why technical textiles are central to India’s industrial future.
Could you briefly outline Venus Safety & Health’s journey and core business areas?
Venus officially began operations in 1986, though our R&D efforts started around 1983. Manufacturing and marketing of respiratory products commenced in 1988. Prior to that, we were engaged in allied textile activities.
Our initial focus was on nonwoven-based filtering masks and respirators to address occupational health issues such as byssinosis in textile workers, cancer risks in slate workers, and exposure faced by pharmaceutical employees. At that time, these products were largely imported and expensive, so our objective was import substitution.
Over the years, we invested in awareness creation, distribution networks, and standardisation. We also played a role in drafting an updated Indian respiratory standard aligned with European norms. Gradually, we expanded our portfolio to include eye, head, and hearing protection, followed by air filters and medical filters, creating a comprehensive safety offering.
What prompted Venus to move into medical filters, and where are they used?
The Covid pandemic highlighted major gaps in infection control. Doctors, ICU staff, and surgeons were exposed to high viral loads, while many ICUs lacked proper filtration systems. Ventilators and spirometers often caused cross-contamination due to absence of effective filters.
This led us to develop specialised medical filters designed to prevent viral and bacterial transmission in critical care, diagnostics, and high-risk hospital environments.
Which product segments are currently driving growth for Venus?
Post-Covid, awareness has shifted significantly. Earlier, customers asked whether safety products were necessary. Now, they focus on performance, comfort, certification, and reliability. Procurement teams are far more informed about standards.
Among our three verticals—respiratory protection, air filtration, and medical products—the strongest growth is currently in air filtration, driven by pollution and demand for cleaner indoor environments. Respiratory products are stable but slightly impacted by excess inventories, while medical products remain strong mainly in top-tier hospitals.
Has rising urban pollution increased demand for consumer masks?
Yes, demand has grown noticeably in recent months. Earlier, India primarily had industrial respirators and hygiene masks. Post-Covid, BIS introduced separate standards for medical masks and consumer face coverings.
Different environments—industrial settings, healthcare facilities, or city streets—require different filtration levels. We introduced consumer masks designed specifically for urban pollution, offering comfort, fit, and appropriate filtration. These have received strong market response.
Are there innovations to address discomfort or odour while wearing masks?
We experimented with fragrances, but they can cause irritation or nausea for some users. Instead, we focused on neutral comfort. We introduced nuisance gas filters that absorb unpleasant gases and odours commonly encountered in cities.
It is also important to educate users that disposable masks are not meant for prolonged use. Washing does not remove trapped particulates; once clogged, the mask must be replaced.
What are the key challenges facing India’s technical textiles industry?
The first challenge is raw material dependence. Price volatility, foreign exchange fluctuations, and non-tariff barriers affect availability, especially for specialty fibres that India does not yet produce at scale.
The second challenge is limited R&D investment. Industry often focuses on incremental improvements rather than fundamental problem-solving. Pilot plants require longer gestation periods and higher risk, which calls for government support.
The third is certification and global validation. While India has built strong testing infrastructure, international recognition of Indian labs is essential. SMEs, in particular, struggle with regulatory compliance such as CE and REACH certifications. Global marketing and domestic demand creation remain additional hurdles.
How effective are current government initiatives in addressing these gaps?
Government engagement has been consistent and increasingly holistic over the last decade. Initiatives such as PM MITRA Parks, revised PLI schemes, export facilitation through councils like METEXIL, and easing of QCO norms on raw materials have helped the industry.
Industry–academia collaboration is improving, and there is genuine dialogue between policymakers and stakeholders. In my 35–40 years in the industry, this is the most coordinated approach I have seen.
Is India ready to become a global hub for technical textiles and advanced PPE?
Textiles are part of India’s industrial DNA. Combined with our entrepreneurial mindset, expanding standardisation, and growing R&D capabilities, we have a strong foundation.
More engineers are entering the textile sector, and industries are upgrading rapidly in areas like nonwovens, coatings, composites, and special conversions. With sustained effort, India can definitely emerge as a global hub for high-performance technical textiles and advanced PPE.
