Demand for Mica insulation materials is boosting our business: Ruby Mica

Discussing the demand for Mica insulation in the electrical industry, Ankit Bagaria, director, Ruby Mica Co. Ltd., says that they expect a pumping demand for Mica materials in the electrical sector in the coming years. 

Kindly walk us through your company’s profile and offerings.

Ruby Mica was established in 1968 with the only intend to manufacture and supply world class Mica based electrical and thermal insulating materials. Today, we are a global market leader serving over 35 countries, catering to 12 different industry segments. 

Mica Tapes enable the electric cables to function reliably under harsh high-temperature working environment, whereas Mica Sheets in their various forms and sizes ensure safe working of a Submerged Arc Furnace used to make Ferro-Alloys. Mica Folium and Tapes prolong the service life of the Induction Furnace equipment commonly used in the foundry industry, etc. 

As a strong initiative towards supporting the “AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan”, we have import substituted critical Mica Tape insulation required in HT traction motors for the Indian railways and Turbo-generator HT Conductor Coils for the power generation equipment manufacturing and servicing companies like BHEL. 

Demand trends impacting businesses 

The increasing energy demands have positively impacted our business. Being a manufacturer and supplier of critical insulating material (Mica Tapes) to the power generation sector, we are experiencing a surge in Mica insulation material orders. Wind generator OEM’s have made an interesting comeback. A growing trend is clearly visible for both the energy demands and energy generating equipment. 

Market for Mica products in Indian electrical sector 

Coal/Oil/Gas based systems used in the manufacturing/mobility sector are on a decline. All kinds of fossil fuels add to the pollution; and stringent emission norms are pushing these systems to oblivion. Sooner or later, everyone has to switch to a greener option, which is none other than electricity. 

Where there is heat and electricity there will be Mica. Mica is a mineral which is truly versatile in nature, offering a unique blend of electrical and thermal properties that no other material can match. 

Hence, growing electrical sector is directly proportional to increase in robust Mica based insulating material demands, coupled with an ample amount of innovation happening in this sector makes the future outlook very positive. 

Challenges in promoting insulation in electrical sector 

Lack of new Mica mining operations in the region is a serious threat to us. Imported binding resins are in short supply due to a crippled logistics system, which is yet to make a full recovery owing to the ongoing pandemic. 

Latest product and offerings in this segment 

We have come up with a lot of advanced Mica based shields/ insulation for the Electrical Vehicles. Lithium is highly reactive and flammable element, hence Mica must always be used to safeguard vulnerable automotive parts as well as contain and stop the propagation of fire. Mica based sleeves can completely encapsulate individual Lithium Ion cells. Mica Sheets with self-adhesive can be pasted to isolate the battery pack from the vehicle body etc. Electronic circuits, resistance boxes etc. are isolated using Mica punched parts. We have engineered excellent low cost Mica based insulating material for the ground insulation of coils in the EV motor.