ANSYS supports Mission Bharat O2 initiative of IIT Kanpur’s SIIC to set up indigenous oxygen concentrators and plants
New Delhi: The Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur has raised funding from the global leader and innovator of engineering simulation software, Ansys, under the Mission Bharat O2, to support manufacturing of oxygen concentrators on scale. This association comes at a crucial juncture to promote indigenous manufacturing at par with global standards. Mission Bharat O2 is a step towards the larger vision of SIIC to nurture a self-sustainable healthcare system in India. Ansys has nurtured a legacy of contributing towards development initiatives across India. Their CSR efforts show a deep commitment towards nation building.
In the recent past, Ansys has also collaborated with AIPL, an SIIC incubate, in the design qualification of the oxygen plant. Ansys was able to provide critical design insights by leveraging its expertise in computational fluid dynamics and structural mechanics.
Commenting on SIIC’s vocal for local vision, Dr Nikhil Agarwal, CEO, SIIC says, “The SIIC team at IIT Kanpur aims to turn the country into a manufacturing hub by supporting product innovation originated from the cutting-edge research and development. Our incubated companies have contributed immensely since COVID-19 struck India. With this experience, we want to go a step further to build a nexus of local manufacturers who will put India on the map of the global manufacturing hubs. The support from Ansys is a much-needed contribution in that direction.”
Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Rafiq Somani, Area Vice President – India and South Asia Pacific, Ansys, said, “Mission Bharat O2 under the aegis of SIIC, IIT Kanpur is a crucial step towards the indigenization of oxygen concentrators and plants that will go a long way in fighting COVID-19 here. We, at Ansys, are committed to the ‘Make in India’ initiative and for this to be successful, manufacturing is key, and healthcare is no exception. Simulation driven product development is the edge that will provide that much needed innovation, improved quality and decrease risks. We are happy to partner with the IIT Kanpur team and help the Mission Bharat O2 task force facilitate this decentralized and rapid-scale production of the oxygen concentrators across the nation.”
The Mission Bharat O2 project, led by Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay, Professor In-charge, Innovation & Incubation, IIT Kanpur, Srikant Sastri, Director, FIRST-IITK and Chairman, I3G Advisory Network, and Rahul Patel, Head of Strategic Initiatives, SIIC IIT Kanpur will support local manufacturers to develop Oxygen Plants and Concentrators. The initiative will operate on a decentralized model to generate indigenous manufacturing capabilities and a distribution network of quality health infrastructure. Through Mission Bharat O2, SIIC aims to create decentralised manufacturing pockets where Indian manufacturers will develop oxygen concentrators and plants on a rapid scale.
SIIC has also selected eight manufacturing partners from 70+ participants who competed to manufacture indigenous oxygen plant and oxygen concentrators under the Mission Bharat O2. With this initiative, SIIC IIT Kanpur has taken a step forward to make the Indian healthcare manufacturing ecosystem self-sustaining by reducing dependence on imports. As a coveted funding partner, Ansys’ generous support will pivot SIIC’s efforts towards efficient execution of the Mission Bharat O2.