Heatwaves to result in production loss in heat-intensive industries
Also read | Input costs, election, Chinese imports to weigh on steelmakers' Q4 Similarly, the manufacturing process of engineering goods involves heat-intensive processes. Casting, forging, and welding are common processes used to shape and assemble metal components—all of which require high temperatures. Plastic materials, too, are melted at high temperatures and then moulded into desired shapes.
Arun Shukla, managing partner of Vishwakarma Engineering & CMD of SterVac Technologies, pointed out that heat dissipation occurs during processes such as operating furnaces, which adds to the already warm environment. “When there's a sudden change in the environment, such as increased heat, the first thing that often happens is that workers get sick," said Shukla. “This leads to a decrease in the attendance of the workforce, resulting in a loss of work hours and disrupting production." “About 90% of production areas lack a protected environment, which affects the overall performance of the workforce.
The heatwave will have a severe impact on production of goods," Shukla said, adding the loss is expected up to 15%. It is crucial for manufacturers to implement proactive measures to mitigate these effects and ensure the continuity of their export operations. India’s goods trade deficit narrowed by nearly 17% in March compared with the previous month, as imports fell steeply, while exports rose only marginally.
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