Science is all around us enabling the very fundamental functions of life. It not only helps create life but also enables us to sustain it and make living better. For years, humans have used the knowledge of science to help society progress. However, sometimes, not all inventions are compatible with nature. Fossil fuels, for instance, did revolutionize humanity, however, they also harmed the environment. This problem too finds its solution with science in the form of Green Chemistry.
Intending to reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances in the design, manufacture, and application of chemical products, Green Chemistry guides us to create safer and more efficient processes and products. It plays an important role in sustainability, as it helps to protect the environment and human health from the harmful effects of chemicals, while also promoting the conservation of natural resources and the innovation of new solutions for global challenges.
By applying Green Chemistry, companies can create a more circular and resilient economy that supports the well-being of people and the planet. This presents an opportunity for stalwarts like Susanta Mohapatra whose expertise in green chemistry has revolutionized the oil and gas industry. Starting in his garage in 2014, he has collaborated with industry giants like Saudi Aramco, developing innovative products and patents. Today, as the CEO of CrudeChem Technology, he leads a dedicated team in developing both traditional and green products, driven by an unwavering commitment to making oil and gas production greener and safer.
Innovative Green Solutions for Oil and Gas Industry
CrudeChem Technology is a leading provider of chemical fluid additives for the oil and gas industry. They specialize in applications such as hydraulic fracturing, coiled tubing, well production, and drilling, in major U.S. basins. Their services include innovative additives, on-site technical support, and efficient last-mile logistics.
End-to-End Capabilities: They take a holistic approach to oilfield chemical solutions. They design, manufacture, and deliver a wide range of chemicals tailored to the specific needs of our clients.
On-Site Delivery: CrudeChem’s services extend to last-mile logistics, ensuring that the chemicals they’ve designed and manufactured are delivered to the site promptly and efficiently. This reliability minimizes downtime and keeps operations running smoothly.
Field Engineering Support: CrudeChem understands that correctly applying these chemicals is crucial for optimal performance. That’s why its dedicated field engineering support team is on hand to ensure the chemicals are applied correctly. They monitor the performance and make necessary adjustments, ensuring the solutions consistently meet or exceed client expectations.
Innovative Research and Development: They invest in continuous research and development to create cutting-edge products, enabling us to stay one step ahead of the competition. This commitment to innovation enhances CrudeChem’s position in the marketplace and promotes environmental stewardship by developing eco-friendly solutions.
The Man on a Mission
As the CEO, Susanta oversees critical responsibilities vital to CrudeChem’s success. His focus extends beyond addressing daily operational challenges to fostering unity and collaboration within the team. Recognizing the pivotal role of a motivated workforce, he prioritizes creating an environment conducive to achieving shared goals. An integral part of his responsibilities involves expanding CrudeChem’s customer base and retaining existing clients to ensure a stable revenue stream.
Susanta formulates competitive strategies emphasizing technology and new product development to secure CrudeChem’s market position and effectively respond to competitors. This proactive approach enables his company to maintain a competitive edge by swiftly bringing innovative products to market. Equally crucial is the emphasis on cultivating robust relationships with its vendors. “Prioritizing mutually beneficial partnerships with suppliers ensures that we stay informed and adaptable in changing business environments. This multifaceted approach underscores our commitment to sustained growth and market leadership,” he says.
From Humble Beginnings to Building a World-Class Company
Susanta’s professional journey has been a dynamic exploration of chemistry, entrepreneurship, and a profound commitment to positive change. It has been challenging and rewarding. Inspired by his father’s work in the agricultural industry, he developed a fascination with the transformative power of chemicals. This early exposure steered his academic pursuits, culminating in groundbreaking research during his PhD, where he aimed to revolutionize catalysis through green chemistry.
Susanta’s entrepreneurial spirit ignited at a young age when he initiated his first venture in tutoring, providing financial support and valuable experience. Early entrepreneurship built my confidence for larger ventures, including successfully starting, scaling, and exiting a business. With this foundation, I set my sights on a greater purpose, driving me to secure admission into my Ph.D. program, where I ranked 2nd in an all-India exam. I delved into uncharted research areas in my PhD program, selecting an unconventional topic. Despite initial uncertainty, my dedication yielded groundbreaking developments, making my research highly sought after. However, gaining approval for my unconventional topic was a significant challenge. I aimed to revolutionize catalysis through green chemistry, turning the seemingly unusable into a valuable asset.
Transitioning to the United States for further studies presented another set of challenges. He had to secure scholarships to facilitate my journey to the University of Reno, Nevada, where he explored catalysis for green chemistry As a professor, he achieved recognition for prolific patents, governmental grants, and collaborations with prestigious institutions. Collaborating with esteemed institutions such as the Department of Energy, Starbucks, and Foster Farms, Susanta spearheaded projects to convert waste materials into viable fuels like biodiesel. His expertise attracted an Oil and Gas company, where he applied green chemistry principles through patents and research, leading to tangible product development.
“With determination and resilience, I steered my company from its inception to a valuation of $70 million today without financial assistance from venture capitalists. Overcoming diversification challenges, we expanded our product line to over 100 unique offerings,” says Susanta.
A Collaborative and Adaptive Leader
Leading with heart and hustle – that’s how Susanta builds teams that rise on occasion. Resolving conflicts among team members and ensuring cohesive collaboration toward shared goals are integral aspects of how he operates. His actions consistently align with the company’s mission, emphasizing that the collective purpose guides decision-making and fuels his commitment to achieving the collective goals.
Guiding and mentoring in technology and innovation are key priorities for Susanta, ensuring that CrudeChem’s team stays ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape. While he consciously avoids micromanagement, he steps in when needed to provide guidance, fostering an environment where collective efforts drive success. This approach reflects his commitment to empowering the team, fostering innovation, and achieving shared objectives through a collaborative and supportive working style.
Susanta believes that communication is paramount in navigating the industry’s dynamic landscape and meeting modern consumers’ evolving needs. Staying abreast of industry changes involves prioritizing the expansion of CrudeChem’s customer base and maintaining stable revenue streams. Establishing mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers is crucial for adaptability, and he emphasizes technology and new product development to maintain a competitive edge.
For Susanta, guiding and mentoring in technology and innovation is a priority for continuous growth. This approach ensures that his team remains ahead in technology and innovation. “By staying closely connected with market trends, collaborating with suppliers, and fostering a culture of innovation, we position ourselves to meet current demands and anticipate and adapt to future changes, driving the sustained growth of our multimillion-dollar company,” he says.
Integrating Technology and Sustainability
CrudeChem’s strategic approach to technology is integral to its commitment to sustainability, innovation, quality, and growth. As a modern-day entrepreneur, Susanta views technology as a transformative force that can revolutionize CrudeChem’s products and services in response to evolving market dynamics.
The substantial investment in research and development is central to its strategy, expanding CrudeChem’s capabilities and ensuring it stays ahead of industry trends. This commitment goes beyond market competition; it reflects the company’s dedication to environmental stewardship.
“We actively develop eco-friendly solutions, embracing cutting-edge technologies and contributing to a greener planet. Our forward-looking approach includes exploring sustainable products and implementing energy-efficient processes throughout our operations. This reinforces our position as an industry leader and aligns with our commitment to excellence and responsible technology use,” shares Susanta.
At CrudeChem Technology, sustainability is not just a commitment; it’s a guiding principle shaping the company’s growth. The company’s vision revolves around manufacturing high-quality products aligned with customer expectations while minimizing waste and preserving resources. They prioritize sustainable business practices, constantly evaluating how their products can benefit customers by saving costs and ensuring their profitability.
In their relentless pursuit of innovation, their research and development efforts aim to improve product quality and are dedicated to exploring new opportunities within sustainability. Actively embracing sustainable alternatives and implementing energy-efficient processes are integral to CrudeChem’s mission of contributing to a greener planet.
“Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our immediate operations. We envision a future where our efforts not only meet the needs of today but contribute positively to global sustainability goals. By aligning our business practices with eco-friendly initiatives, we strive to play a significant role in fostering a more sustainable and resilient world for future generations,” says Susanta.
Assessing Industry Trends
The shift towards energy transitions is influencing chemical trends and creating new opportunities, observes Susanta. Recent government regulations regarding the domestic manufacture of semiconductors, lithium batteries, solar panels, carbon capture, and hydrogen-based technologies have significantly boosted activity levels in the domestic market. CrudeChem’s strategic focus is to expand and provide support in these key sectors.
In response to the escalating demand for sustainable technologies, CrudeChem is actively developing solutions in alignment with its commitment to eco-friendly solutions. Its proactive approach, emphasizing innovation, replacement, and improvement, ensures that its offerings remain efficient and relevant. During economic cycles, CrudeChem remains vigilant, adapting strategies to navigate market fluctuations. Staying abreast of technological advancements, addressing stakeholder concerns, embracing sustainability, and optimizing operations position CrudeChem Technology for effective navigation through the dynamic tech landscape.
“Furthermore, we are exploring digitization and the use of AI to enhance the efficiency and reduce operational costs of our last-mile logistics. CrudeChem is actively supporting sustainable processes in the manufacturing of our chemical products. Continuous innovation is at the core of our efforts as we develop solutions to establish a product line for green chemicals,” shares Susanta.
Challenges Within the Industry
Navigating the challenges and opportunities in a dynamic industry requires a multifaceted approach. At CrudeChem Technology, one key challenge is the rapid pace of technological evolution. Staying ahead of these advancements is imperative, and they address this by proactively developing innovative, environmentally responsible solutions. Their transition to green products, initially in oil and gas and now expanding into mining and agriculture, exemplifies their commitment to sustainability.
Seamless communication among internal teams, vendors, and customers is vital to minimize delays, feels Susanta. He prioritizes local partnerships to establish a resilient and agile supply chain, supporting local businesses and strengthening operations. Flexibility, cost-efficient technology, and manufacturing processes enable the company to provide top-notch products at competitive prices, fostering customer loyalty.
Another challenge is the industry’s short product lifespans. Guided by its core values of quality, consistency, and innovation, CrudeChem proactively focuses on product innovation, replacement, and improvement. Additionally, the company remains vigilant and adaptive to economic cycles, aligning its strategies with market fluctuations.
Setting New Goals
In the coming years, the trajectory of CrudeChem Technology is set for significant transformation. Susanta’s role involves steering this evolution by expanding and retaining their client base, diversifying services into new industries, and fostering international growth. Our vision prioritizes balanced growth, employee well-being, and active community involvement, from sponsoring events to supporting local schools and clubs.
“The overarching objective is to position CrudeChem Technology as a global leader renowned for innovative solutions spanning diverse industries and proactively contributing to climate change mitigation. Our commitment to environmentally friendly products is central to addressing pressing environmental challenges. Within this journey, we uphold values of continuous improvement, innovation, and a profound sense of responsibility toward clients, employees, communities, and the environment. Collectively, we are propelling CrudeChem Technology toward a future that is both successful and sustainable,” concludes Susanta.
Quote: “We provide unmatched chemical solutions and services, aligning with our dedication to excellence and responsible technology use for a sustainable future.”
Quote: “By staying at the forefront of technological advancements, embracing sustainability, and optimizing operations, we are well-equipped to navigate the dynamic landscape of the technology sector.”
