Tata Chemicals launches Tata Swach in Karnataka
Bangalore: March 22, 2010

	Introduces the world’s most cost-effective water purifier from the Tatas on World Water Day
	Product to improve affordability of safe drinking water for millions of Indians

Potable water is the most essential constituent of the human body, yet, over half a billion people in India do not have access to clean drinking water. In December 2009, Tata Chemicals unveiled its unique and innovative water purifier in the Indian market which was aimed to address the challenges faced by the consumers accessing clean drinking water.

Embarking on its mission of providing safe and affordable drinking water, Tata Chemicals introduced Tata Swach — the nanotechnology water purifier from the Tatas. On the momentous occasion of World Water Day, Tata Swach is now launched in Karnataka after its successful rollout in Maharashtra.

Built around a bulb-like water purifier made of natural elements like rice husk ash impregnated with nano-silver particles, Tata Swach is convenient to use. The product development has resulted in 14 patents being filed by the company.

Tata Swach is a portable water purifier and requires no energy or running water to operate. Based on low-cost natural ingredients, it is a replaceable filter-based product, which delivers safe drinking water at a new market benchmark price of Rs30 per month for a family of five.

Speaking at the launch PK Ghose, chief financial officer, Tata Chemicals, said, “Tata Swach combines technology, performance, convenience and above all, affordability to serve the basic human right of millions of consumers. Today, on the occasion of World Water Day, we are launching Tata Swach in Bangalore and thereby taking a small step towards making safe drinking water available for all at an affordable cost. Just as Tata Chemicals dedicated itself to the eradication of goitre with Tata Salt, so with the launch of this product we are committing ourselves to address the problem of water-borne diseases.”

Adding further, Bhaskar Bhat, managing director, Titan Industries, said, “Safe drinking water is one of the basic human needs. However, much of India’s population is still denied access to safe, convenient and affordable water purification solutions, thereby making it one of the biggest social and technological challenges in the country. Tata Swach has been an instance of collaborative development between Tata Chemicals, TCS and Titan and I am happy that with its commercial launch in Karnataka today, we are embarking on a mission to deliver a cost-effective purification solution to the masses.”

Tata Swach is available for Rs999 for 18 litres capacity. The replaceable filter, which shuts water supply after its useful life, is priced at Rs299 and is good to purify 3,000 litres.

Tata Swach produces clean and safe water without using electric power or running water, which is often not available in rural areas. The cartridge bulb is packed with a purification medium which has the capability to kill bacteria and disease-causing organisms. The product development has also resulted in 14 patents being filed by the company.