Ion Exchange (India) loses founder

The founder and chairman emeritus of India’s water and environment company, Ion Exchange (India) Ltd, G Shankar Ranganathan, passed away on 18 March 2013.

Ion Exchange was formed in 1964 as a subsidiary of UK company Permutit on Rangnathan’s initiative and recommendation. In 1984 when Permutit divested its holding, he advocated and set up employee welfare trusts, a pioneering concept for India.

He expanded the company’s technology base through R&D, joint ventures, licensing and representative agreements making Ion Exchange one of the few companies worldwide with the entire spectrum of technologies, products and services. This would enable it to offer total and integrated solutions for all sectors – industry communities and homes, urban and rural.

Among the company’s current offerings are small reverse-osmosis units and point-of- use water purifiers.