ELGi Equipments Limited is a global air compressor manufacturer, offering a wide range of compressed air solutions designed to enhance energy efficiency and performance.
Interview with Chris Ringlstetter, President of the Europe Branch at ELGi Equipments Limited.
What are the ranges of products and what types of services do you offer?
Chris Ringlstetter: Our product range includes oil-lubricated and oil-free rotary screw air compressors, reciprocating compressors, centrifugal air compressors, dryers, filters, downstream accessories, and IoT solutions for remote monitoring. We also offer services such as Compressed Air Audits. Further, ELGi offers an industry-leading warranty of up to 10 years on the airend* without a limit on the running hours.
With over 400 products, ELGi serves industries like automotive, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and more.
*Terms & Conditions apply.
Which are your most recent/innovative products/solutions and what special features do they have?
C.R: Our latest and most groundbreaking innovation is STABILISOR, a pioneering compressed air stabilization technology designed to revolutionize industrial air compressor operations. This breakthrough solution tackles the long-standing challenges of unstable compressor performance, energy inefficiencies, and excessive wear caused by frequent load/unload cycles. ELGi’s STABILISOR’s “Recirculate and Recover” principle aligns compressor output with plant air requirements, stabilizing airflow, reducing load/unload cycles, achieving up to 15% energy savings and supporting global green manufacturing goals.
How do your best products/solutions work?
C.R: Our innovations like the EG Super Premium Series and EG Permanent Magnet (PM) Series deliver superior efficiency and sustainability.
EG Super Premium Series: These oil-lubricated compressors use a two-stage airend design, minimizing energy consumption. Advanced cooling and premium components reduce wear, extend lifespan, and lower lifecycle costs.
EG PM Motor Technology: Our Permanent Magnet motors are more energy-efficient than conventional motors, especially at partial loads. Integrated with variable frequency drives (VFD), they optimize compressor performance, offering energy savings of up to 10% compared to fixed-speed compressors. This reduces energy costs, improves efficiency, and reduces maintenance.
In what types of projects do clients use your products/solutions?
C.R: ELGi’s compressed air solutions are used in industries requiring reliable and energy-efficient compressed air, including automotive, pharmaceutical and food processing. For example, in the automotive sector, our compressors support precision tasks like painting and assembly. In pharmaceuticals and food processing, Class 0 oil-free compressors deliver oil-free compressed air, according to ISO 8573-1 standards. Our products help companies meet sustainability goals, reduce operational costs, and increase energy efficiency.
How important is innovation/R&D in your field?
C.R: Innovation is crucial in the compressed air industry, where efficiency, reliability, and sustainability are essential. ELGi invests heavily in R&D to develop energy-efficient solutions. Nearly 80% of a compressor’s life cycle cost is linked to energy consumption, making efficiency crucial. We’ve introduced innovations like Permanent Magnet motors, advanced airends, and the STABILISOR system, all focused on reducing energy waste and improving compressor performance. ELGi is committed to leading the industry through relentless innovation and driving energy-conscious solutions.
How do your products/solutions increase profitability for users?
C.R: Our products reduce energy consumption, minimize downtime, and extend equipment lifespan, leading to a lower total cost of ownership. By improving uptime and reducing operational costs, ELGi’s solutions help businesses increase productivity and achieve faster returns on investment, making them an ideal choice for long-term profitability.
How can clients sustainably use your products/solutions?
C.R: Sustainability is embedded in ELGi’s design philosophy. Our products help clients reduce energy consumption and lower emissions. For example, the Heat Recovery System (HRS) recovers up to 96% of the heat generated by compressors, repurposing it for water or space heating, reducing energy waste, and lowering carbon footprints. This maximizes resource efficiency and supports global sustainability goals.
How is AI affecting your field of activity?
C.R: AI is revolutionizing the compressed air industry by enabling predictive maintenance and optimization. ELGi leverages IoT-powered solutions like Air~Alert, which continuously monitors compressor performance, collects real-time data, and uses AI to predict failures before they occur. This helps clients avoid unplanned downtime, optimize maintenance schedules, and reduce costs. As AI advances, it will play a greater role in enhancing reliability, energy optimization, and sustainability in the industry.
How do you see the future in your field?
C.R: The future of the compressed air industry will be driven by smart, efficient, and sustainable solutions. IoT and AI will enable more data-driven decision-making, offering real-time insights for predictive maintenance and energy optimization. Oil-free air compressors will continue to gain popularity, helping businesses reduce environmental impact and comply with tighter regulations. ELGi sees a future where energy-efficient, oil-free compressed air solutions dominate, ensuring both profitability and environmental responsibility.
What are the business plans for 2025?
C.R: In 2025, ELGi will focus on expanding globally and leading the charge in innovation. A major milestone will be the global launch of the STABILISOR system, designed to optimize compressor efficiency, reduce energy waste, and enhance stability, making it a game-changer in operational cost reduction. Additionally, we will expand our EG SP (Super Premium) and EG PM (Permanent Magnet) portfolios, continuing to offer cutting-edge, energy-efficient compressed air solutions that help businesses meet sustainability goals while improving profitability. 2025 will be a year of transformation and growth as we deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that drive success for our customers worldwide.