Steamtech Dryers Play a Crucial Role in Consistent Incense Production During the Humid Season: Kalpesh Shah
The monsoon season brings high levels of humidity, traditionally creating significant drying challenges for incense stick and dhoop manufacturers. Inconsistent drying can affect production schedules as well as important product characteristics such as burning quality and fragrance. Today, controlled drying technology is helping manufacturers overcome these seasonal limitations. Steamtech Innovative Machinery Pvt. Ltd., Rajkot, has developed a range of small and large drying solutions designed to support incense manufacturers in maintaining consistent drying and production across changing weather conditions.
In a special conversation with Sugandh India, company head Mr. Kalpesh Shah explained that Steamtech’s journey in drying technology began much earlier with the development of systems for moisture management in cotton. Over the years, the company expanded its research and engineering capabilities into drying solutions for different industrial applications. A significant development came when Steamtech began focusing specifically on the challenges faced by the incense industry. According to Mr. Shah, the idea of developing a dedicated dryer for incense manufacturing emerged after discussions with Pappu Bhai of Abhinav Incense, through which the team gained a deeper understanding of the moisture-related challenges faced by incense manufacturers. Following these discussions, Steamtech began research and development specifically for incense drying. The technology continued to evolve through practical experience, customer requirements and continuous improvements. In 2019, the Government of India changed the import policy for agarbatti from “Free” to “Restricted.” As domestic manufacturing gained greater importance, the industry also required dependable production systems capable of performing consistently under varying climatic conditions. This further highlighted the importance of controlled drying. “Steamtech dryers play a crucial role in the incense manufacturing industry by helping manufacturers maintain consistent drying and production even during humid and monsoon conditions,” Mr. Shah said.
Growing Presence in the Incense Industry
Steamtech has developed drying solutions for different production requirements, ranging from smaller manufacturers to large-scale incense and dhoop production facilities. According to Mr. Shah, Steamtech has supplied more than 900 small and large dryers to the incense industry. Its drying systems are also installed at manufacturing facilities associated with several well-known incense and dhoop brands, including Cycle, ITC, Z Black and Moksh. Recalling the development of the business, Mr. Shah said that engineering and ma-chine development have always been closely connected with the family.” My elder brother, Mr. Rakesh, was an engineer at a spinning mill and was involved in machine design. My cousins, Mr. Devang and Mr. Nilesh, also worked with us on developing the dryer. When we identified the drying challenges faced by incense manufacturers, we came together to develop technology specifically suited to the industry.”
Controlled Drying Across Changing Weather Conditions
For incense manufacturers, drying is not simply about applying heat. Effective drying requires the right combination of temperature, airflow and air movement, depending on the product size, thickness and present moisture content of wet sticks, cups or cones and production requirement. Steamtech therefore offers different drying configurations and heat-source options to suit different applications and operating requirements. Mr. Shah explained that the company has developed systems using electric, gas and solid-fuel-based heating options. The appropriate configuration is selected according to production capacity, product characteristics, available heat source and customer requirements. This controlled approach allows manufacturers to reduce their dependence on ambient weather conditions and maintain more consistent production during periods of high humidity. The objective is particularly important during the monsoon, when natural drying becomes difficult and production can otherwise be affected.
From Small Requirements to Industrial-Scale Applications
Steamtech manufactures dryers for different production capacities and requirements, different products like dhoop or cone. The final system configuration depends on several factors, including required capacity, product characteristics, heat source, level of automation and specific process requirements. Rather than defining drying equipment only by price, Steamtech focuses on identifying the appropriate system according to the customer’s actual production requirement. Different models are available for different batch capacities, and drying time depends on factors such as the product, initial moisture, required final moisture, loading conditions, temperature and process parameters. Dryers are starts from 32 kgs, 65kg, 125 kgs, 250 kgs, 500 kgs, to 9000 kgs. For larger manufacturers, capacity can also be planned according to present production requirements and future expansion.
Drying Technology Beyond Incense
While incense drying has become an important application for Steamtech, the company’s technology is also used across several other industries. Mr. Shah explained that Steamtech drying solutions are used for applications involving *food products, namkeen, match sticks splint-industry products, maize and various other agricultural and industrial materials. The company has also supplied machines to international markets. This diversity of applications has enabled Steamtech to continue developing its understanding of different materials, moisture conditions and drying requirements.
Continuous R&D for the Next Generation of Dryers
Steamtech continues to invest in research and development rather than treating its existing dryer technology as a finished product. Mr. Shah said that the company is currently working on a new generation of drying systems for reducing drying cost. The company continues to upgrade its machines based on practical operating experience and evolving customer requirements.
Service Support Across India
Along with manufacturing and technology development, after-sales service has become an important part of Steamtech’s operations. According to Mr. Shah, Steamtech has a team of around *125 employees, with approximately 25 to 30 team members regularly travelling across different states for service and technical support. The company’s service presence helps it respond quickly when customers require assistance. In many cases, a service engineer may already be operating within the same or a neighbouring district. Minor technical issues can also be diagnosed and resolved remotely through video calls, helping customers minimise unnecessary production interruptions. Smaller-capacity machines can generally be installed within a relatively short period, while larger systems require additional installation and commissioning time depending on their configuration and site conditions.
Helping Incense Manufacturers Move Beyond Seasonal Drying
The incense industry has traditionally been highly affected by weather conditions, particularly during periods of high humidity. Controlled drying technology is gradually changing this dependence. For Steamtech, the objective is not simply to manufacture a heating chamber, but to provide a controlled drying solution that enables manufacturers to achieve consistent drying, dependable production and better process control across seasons. With continued research, application-specific engineering and nationwide service support, Steamtech aims to play a crucial role in helping the incense manufacturing industry move from weather-dependent drying towards more controlled and reliable fast drying
