Sandeep Jain, Director and CEO of Empire Industries Ltd – Hygiene Care, has been steering EMPERIA 1900 with a strong focus on sustainability and professional innovation. With decades of business experience, he believes hygiene must be seen not just as a cleaning process but as a foundation for healthier communities. In this interview, he shares his views on sustainability, awareness, innovation and the future of the hygiene sector.
Given the global emphasis on green chemicals and sustainability, how is your company adapting its product line to contribute to a greener future in the hygiene sector?
Viewing hygiene as the essential pillar of public health, we recognized that the mission is incomplete without sustainability at its core. Over the years, we have built a portfolio that includes broad-spectrum disinfectants, cleaning solutions for housekeeping and kitchens, as well as personal care products. Yet, I knew this journey could only be truly complete by embracing green chemistry, making sustainability the bridge that connects hygiene and public health for a safer, future-ready world.
This is why we introduced bioenzyme-based solutions. These work at a molecular level to break down organic matter, providing deep and long-lasting cleanliness. The challenge, of course, was in developing products that were not only effective but also affordable and stable. It took time to arrive at the right balance. We sought eco-friendly products that could match the performance of conventional chemicals without becoming inaccessible due to high costs. This ensures accessibility not just for premium organisations but also for businesses and institutions across the market, where being economical is key.
Our green range is now taking shape as the foundation for the future. These products are designed to perform consistently, last longer and minimise their environmental impact. My conviction is that true progress lies in uniting sustainability, affordability and professional-grade effectiveness.
Awareness is as important as access to quality hygiene products — only when both go hand in hand, can we build a healthier, safer and more sustainable India.
— Sandeep Jain
How do you plan to expand your role beyond products to actively influence hygiene awareness and public health nationwide?
True change begins not just with great products, but with awareness and empowerment. I believe that education and training are just as essential as the solutions themselves. Across workplaces, the people who handle hygiene daily are often the most neglected — the housekeeping professionals. They are the ones mixing chemicals, cleaning floors, disinfecting washrooms, yet many of them have never been trained on safe handling or given proper protective equipment.
During the pandemic, the importance of hygiene became visible to everyone. Hand hygiene, infection control and surface cleaning were suddenly national priorities. What struck me most during that time was how vulnerable the cleaning staff were. Improper handling of chemicals, absence of protective gloves or masks and poor practices were not only endangering them but also increasing the risk of spreading infections.
This is why we launched structured training programmes. These cover how to use protective equipment, how to handle chemicals safely and how to follow hygiene practices that protect both the professional and the wider community. For me, this is more than a compliance exercise. It is about the dignity of housekeeping professionals and about ensuring that the people who work on the frontlines of hygiene are themselves safe and respected.
Our aim is to expand year on year, reaching more industries and institutions and creating a culture of hygiene awareness across the country. It is not only about keeping spaces clean, but also about building healthier communities.
What new initiatives are you implementing to prepare for future market opportunities?
The hygiene sector is constantly evolving and to stay relevant, we have to anticipate what the future will demand. One area where we have invested is packaging. We have introduced designs that meet the highest industry standards — chemically inert, high-grade polymers with balance indicators and high load-bearing strength. This makes handling, stacking and transportation safer and easier.
Another initiative is automation at the point of use. We have introduced dilution pumps, dispensers and measuring tools so that every solution is mixed at the correct ratio. This avoids the two common problems: overuse, which increases costs and underuse, which compromises cleaning effectiveness. It also makes life easier for housekeeping staff, who can focus more on the quality of work and less on guesswork with chemicals.
On the product side, our green bioenzyme range is expanding. We now have multipurpose cleaners, odour neutralisers, air fresheners and even waterless urinal solutions. At the same time, we are looking at sectors that are underserved when it comes to hygiene standards and tailoring solutions for them.
A major step ahead will be moving into the direct-to-consumer space. Until now, most of our work has been with institutions, but the need for sustainable, professional-grade hygiene is just as strong in households. By next year, we plan to make these solutions available for everyday consumers.
What unique strategies and value-added services does EMPERIA 1900 provide to differentiate itself while maintaining high standards of safety, sustainability and performance?
This is an industry where effectiveness, safety and compliance are non-negotiable. Many companies offer products with similar claims, so the real question is how you create value beyond the product. My approach has been to treat hygiene as an ecosystem rather than a single service or product.
We begin by studying the site in detail. The requirements of a hospital, for instance, are very different from those of a shopping mall or a factory. Seasonal variations, surface types and visitor footfall all play a role. Once we understand these dynamics, we design hygiene programmes that are specific to that site. These programmes optimise usage, improve efficiency and include measurable benchmarks for audits and compliance.
Equally important is training. If the people using the products are not confident or well-informed, the results will never match expectations. That is why we work closely with teams, training them on safe and efficient usage.
Our product development process is also rigorous. Every product goes through research, trials and performance checks to ensure it matches or exceeds professional standards. Even in packaging, we innovate to reduce waste and improve ease of use.
What differentiates us, in my opinion, is this holistic approach — combining science, training, safety and sustainability. With Empire Industries’ legacy of more than a century, my goal is to take this strength forward by constantly innovating, especially in green chemistry. That is how we will continue to stay relevant and impactful in a very competitive landscape.
