About ten years ago, Vipin Raghavan, an engineer with a background in digital companies like Zynga, started touring manufacturing plants in Pune. What he witnessed was a stark technological divide. The factories, he felt, seemed to belong to a bygone era, presenting a massive opportunity for digital intervention.
From Observation to Innovation: The Birth of Haber
Raghavan saw that technology could revolutionise not just productivity but also how these facilities managed precious resources like water and energy. This insight propelled him to co-found Haber in 2017. Based in Pune, the company develops artificial intelligence systems designed to monitor and optimise chemical processes in industries in real-time.
The core idea was to encode the deep knowledge of seasoned plant operators into software. "We wanted to put the subject-matter expert in software," Raghavan explains. Their algorithms predict potential issues, automatically adjust operational parameters, and crucially, help prevent waste before it even happens.
Proving Impact: From Paper Mills to Pan-Industry Adoption
Haber's journey began with a local paper manufacturer as its first client. The big breakthrough came when ITC's pulp and packaging division came on board. "Getting ITC onboard was a turning point," Raghavan recalls. Their success became a powerful case study, attracting attention from other players in similar sectors.
Today, Haber's AI solutions are deployed across pulp, paper, packaging, tissue, and water treatment industries—sectors known for their intensive use of water and chemicals. The company reports impressive results: its technology has helped client operations save approximately 30 million cubic metres of water, 97,000 MWh of energy, and 92,000 tonnes of emissions.
Raghavan emphasises that this impact comes from continuous, smart optimisation, not disruptive overhauls. "Even a half-per-cent improvement in yield is a big deal for these plants," he says. "It directly translates to using less raw material, less water, and less energy for the same output."
The Next Frontier: The AI Green Chemistry Lab in Pune
In a significant move this October, Haber inaugurated an AI Green Chemistry Lab at its Pune campus, backed by a $10 million R&D investment. This facility is not just for show; it houses a fully operational pilot plant that can replicate large-scale manufacturing conditions in a controlled setting.
"It's a bridge between lab work and industrial reality," notes Raghavan. Scientists can now validate and refine new, cleaner chemical formulations here before they are tested on an actual factory floor. The lab's mission is to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly chemistries for water-intensive industries, leveraging automation, data analytics, and chemical research.
The company's tech setup involves compact edge-computing devices installed at plant sites, with some cloud integration. "Most of the heavy lifting happens on the ground," Raghavan clarifies, adding that each device uses about as much power as a laptop, ensuring the energy-saving benefits far outweigh the operational costs.
A Unique Business Model and Global Challenges
Haber employs an outcome-linked business model inspired by Raghavan's experience in healthcare. "We tell clients, you pay us only if we keep your production costs within a promised range," he states. This aligns the company's incentives directly with the client's financial and sustainability goals.
However, adoption rates have varied. Raghavan finds it faster in Asia and Africa. "In India, once the plant head decides, the change flows quickly," he observes. In Western markets, where individual operators have more autonomy, the process requires building trust and explaining the 'why' behind every algorithmic recommendation.
He views this as a positive dialogue. "It keeps us transparent and makes the system better. The goal isn't to replace people but to help them make faster, more informed decisions." For Raghavan and Haber, the new lab is a practical step toward a vision where factory efficiency and planetary sustainability are one and the same. "If factories can make more with less, that's good business, and it's good for the planet too."
