Sustainable
Waterless Urinal
Season 3 Episode 19
| Brand | Zerodor |
| Company Name | Ekam Eco Solutions Pvt. Ltd. |
| Founders | Uttam Banerjee, Sachin Joshi |
| Original Ask | 1 crore for 3% equity at the valuation of Rs. 33.33 crores |
| Deal | No Deal |
About the Product
Zerodor Waterless Urinal presents an innovative solution for water conservation in restroom facilities. As an eco-friendly retrofit to traditional urinals, they are gaining popularity in commercial and institutional settings due to their efficiency and environmental advantages. These urinals eliminate the need for flushing, thereby conserving water and reducing maintenance costs associated with traditional flush systems. They prove particularly valuable in high-traffic areas where large volumes of water are typically used daily.
The primary appeal of waterless urinals lies in their ability to save water significantly. By eliminating the need for flushing, Zerodor Waterless Urinals contribute to conservation efforts, particularly crucial in regions facing drought conditions or water scarcity. Moreover, their low water usage helps reduce the environmental footprint of buildings and facilities. In addition to water savings, Zerodor Waterless Urinals also offer reduced maintenance costs compared to conventional flush urinals. With no water usage, there is no need for frequent replacement of flush valves or other components prone to wear and tear. This results in long-term savings and less hassle for maintenance personnel.
Hygiene improvement is another notable advantage of Zerodor Waterless Urinals. By eliminating the need for users to touch flush handles, which can harbour bacteria, these urinals offer a more hygienic restroom experience. This reduction in bacterial contamination contributes to overall cleanliness and user satisfaction. Furthermore, Zerodor Waterless Urinals provide environmental benefits beyond water conservation. By reducing the amount of wastewater produced and treated, they contribute to a more sustainable approach to sanitation. Their operation without flushing minimizes the strain on water treatment facilities and helps mitigate the environmental impact of wastewater discharge.
Zerodor Waterless Urinal stands out as a frugally designed plumbing kit that can be easily retrofitted to any conventional urinal pan with a waste coupling. Their patented mechanical device operates without the need for consumables or a power supply, making them cost-effective and environmentally friendly. With a mechanical one-way valve preventing odour-causing gases from re-entering the restroom, Zerodor Waterless Urinals ensure an odour-free and water-free restroom environment.
Founders & their story
- Uttam Banerjee
- Sachin Joshi
One bucket of water typically suffices to cleanse 100ml of urine, underscoring the staggering wastage of approximately 1.5 lakh litres of water per urinal annually in conventional setups. In response to this alarming figure, Zerodor champions the CPR (Conserve, Protect, Restore) ethos. Their innovative waterless urinals have been installed in over 30,000 locations, resulting in the conservation of over 100 crores litres of water. By comparison, traditional male urinals flush 1.5-3 litres of water per use, exacerbating water scarcity concerns.
Moreover, the chemical reaction of urine in drains releases ammonia, leading to unpleasant Odors. Zerodor’s patented retrofit mechanism creates a one-way passage, preventing the return of gases and mitigating this issue effectively. Notably, Zerodor’s waterless urinals feature an ergonomically comfortable design suitable for female users as well. They utilize bacterial, enzymic, and organic solutions, which are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. With variants available in stainless steel and plastic, they cater to diverse preferences. Their client base comprises over 700 satisfied customers, attesting to the efficacy and appeal of their sustainable sanitation solutions.
About the company
Founded in 2013, Ekam Eco Solutions emerged as a research spin-off originating from IIT Delhi’s endeavours in the field of Sanitation. Their organization is built upon over five-thousand-man hours of dedicated research in this domain. The name “Ekam” originates from Sanskrit, signifying Oneness and Interconnectedness, embodying their core values. Their approach revolves around fundamental principles such as Happiness, Simplicity, and Positivity.
Ekam is renowned for its focus on developing sustainable technologies and solutions aimed at water conservation and waste conversion through natural means. Their journey commenced in 2008 with research on human urine, initially undertaken as part of a college project at IIT Delhi. Subsequently, in 2010, they achieved a milestone with the invention of Zerodor Waterless Urinal. On the 28th of May 2013, Ekam Eco Solutions Pvt. Ltd. was officially incorporated, marking a significant step in their organizational evolution. By 2014, they successfully launched Zerodor, their inaugural product, into the commercial market. By the year 2020, they had garnered a clientele comprising over 700 satisfied corporate customers spanning across India and Africa, illustrating the widespread adoption and impact of their innovative solutions.
Revenue
The Indian waterless urinal market has grown significantly, boasting a size of 16,000 crores. Notably, in FY 21-22, the market recorded sales of 2.1 crores, followed by a growth to 2.8 crores in FY 22-23. During FY 22-23, the net margin stood at a commendable 7%. In the current fiscal year, FY 23-24, up until October, sales have reached 2.3 crores. It’s worth noting that the typical conversion rate for projects in this market falls within the range of 6-8 months. As for financial stability, the company holds a substantial reserve, with 80 lakhs securely deposited in the bank. These figures underscore the promising trajectory of the waterless urinal market and the company’s position within it.
Founders’ Ask
1 crore for 3% equity at the valuation of Rs. 33.33 crores.
Offers
Peyush’s conditional offer: 1 crore for 10% equity at the valuation of Rs. 10 crores.
Founders’ Counteroffer
Offer 1: 1.5 crore for 10% equity at the valuation of Rs. 15 crores.
Offer 2: 1 crore for 6.5% equity at the valuation of Rs. 15.38 crores.
No Deal
Reasons for no deal
Aman: He can contribute to the form of CSR, but the business is not investible.
Vineeta: Getting an exit from the business would be difficult.
Radhika: The founders seem distracted with too many segments.
Ritesh: The true potential of the business has not been discovered.
