Merino Industries Director Manoj Lohia discusses the company’s work in education, tuberculosis care, women’s livelihoods, renewable energy, circularity and agroforestry.
By Rusen Kumar
NEW DELHI (India CSR): Merino Industries has built its social and sustainability work around the philosophy of “Universal Weal through Trade & Industry”, linking business growth with community well-being and responsible resource use. In this India CSR interview, Manoj Lohia, Director, Merino Industries Ltd., outlines the company’s education support through SVAV and Yogakshema, its tuberculosis-care work in Hapur, women’s vocational training and local healthcare services. He also shares how the Nirmal Programme is advancing renewable energy, water conservation, waste-to-energy and circularity, while the HUMRAAHI agroforestry initiative works with farmers to develop a more responsible wood-sourcing ecosystem. Lohia further discusses the raw-material and environmental challenges facing India’s engineered wood industry, and Merino’s priorities for the coming years. Founded in 1965 by the Lohia family, the company has grown from a domestic manufacturer into a global player with a footprint spanning over 80 countries.
Merino has undertaken social initiatives for several decades, guided by its philosophy of “Universal Weal through Trade & Industry.” How has this philosophy shaped the company’s approach to education and community development, and what role do programmes such as SVAV and Yogakshema play in this journey?
Merino’s approach to giving back to society comes from a philosophy that drives its operations across India and globally, “Universal Weal through Trade & Industry.” The idea is that business should create value for its stakeholders while contributing to the larger well-being of society. This philosophy has shaped our social initiatives over several decades, with education, healthcare, nutrition and livelihood development emerging as sustained areas of focus.
Education has remained a particularly strong focus. Through the Shri Har Kasturi Memorial Trust, Merino runs the Swami Vivekananda Arunoday Vidyalaya (SVAV) in Hapur, established in 2013, which provides free education to children from economically weaker families. Alongside this, Yogakshema, which has been running since 2018, supports academically bright students from economically disadvantaged families. Twenty students are selected every year, with those securing 80% or above in their Secondary School Examination undergoing a further assessment. Each selected student receives a ₹4,000 monthly grant for two years, along with educational and nutritional support, family Mediclaim and online coaching.
The impact can be seen in the academic journeys of the scholars. Recent Yogakshema students have qualified for JEE Advanced and JEE Mains, while others have gone on to pursue MBBS. These outcomes build upon the purpose of the programme and that is helping capable students continue their education and pursue professional careers despite financial constraints.
Healthcare has been another longstanding area of Merino’s community work, particularly in Hapur. How has the company developed its healthcare initiatives over the years, and what impact is the TB programme creating?
Healthcare became an important area of focus after we saw the needs of economically disadvantaged communities around Hapur. TB received particular attention because of its prevalence in the region and the need for sustained treatment, awareness and follow-up. Through the Shri Premchand Lohia Health Centre, Merino provides diagnosis, treatment, dietary support and awareness programmes. More than 6,800 TB patients have been cured in Hapur through the programme over the past nine years, while more than 48 villages are actively working with Merino towards becoming TB-free. During FY2023-24, 11 Nikshay camps benefited more than 3,500 patients through diagnostic testing and referrals. The programme has developed through sustained engagement with communities, healthcare workers and local stakeholders. The emphasis remains on consistent support rather than short-term intervention.
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Beyond education and healthcare, which other community needs does Merino address, and how are these initiatives designed around local requirements?
Our CSR work covers education, healthcare, nutrition, women empowerment and community development. The programmes are shaped around the needs of the communities we work with and the areas where our resources and capabilities can make a practical difference. Nutrition forms an important part of our education initiatives. Students at SVAV receive three meals on campus, while mid-day meals are also extended to children in selected low-income schools. Healthcare services are delivered through dispensary units in Hapur, Achheja and Garhmukteshwar. Women’s empowerment is another area of focus, with vocational training in stitching helping women develop skills that support greater financial independence and household incomes. Across these initiatives, the objective is to address a wider set of needs that influence education, health, livelihoods and overall community well-being.
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Sustainability is closely integrated with Merino’s manufacturing philosophy. How does the Nirmal Programme drive the company’s approach to energy transition, resource efficiency, waste management and overall environmental performance?
The Nirmal Programme brings sustainability into the everyday decisions that shape how we manufacture, use resources and manage our environmental impact. Our approach is built around the notion that industrial growth must go hand in hand with responsible resource use. As on today, more than 75% of our energy requirements are met through renewable and non-fossil sources. Through using biogenic fuels, we mitigate approximately 206,199 metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions annually. We also recover energy from waste, with these systems contributing over 18% of our total energy consumption. This helps us reduce dependence on conventional fuels while finding productive uses for materials generated through our operations.
Water conservation is another important part of Nirmal. Through watershed management and rainwater harvesting, we recharge more than one million kilolitres of water annually, alongside efforts to recycle and reuse wastewater. Our circularity initiatives also turn organic waste into a useful resource, producing over 300 metric tonnes of bio-manure every year. Beyond manufacturing, we support 1 Crore saplings every year through agroforestry initiatives with farmers. For us, Nirmal is about making sustainability practical and measurable, from improving resource efficiency within our facilities to supporting healthier ecosystems and more responsible growth over the long term.
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How is Merino building a responsible and circular wood ecosystem, from agroforestry and farmer engagement to technology-led manufacturing of engineered wood products?
We see responsible sourcing as the beginning of a regenerative model connecting farmers, sustainable raw material and manufacturing. Our agroforestry programme extends across a 150-km radius, where we work with farming communities on farm forestry, with minimal use of pesticides. Farmers are guided on crop economics and plantation practices so they understand both the environmental and commercial value of the activity. The process begins at Merino’s own advanced nursery and clone park. Farmers are invited to understand the process from shoot cutting and propagation through hardening, with each sapling developed using biotechnology. Through the HUMRAAHI programme, these saplings are made available at concessional prices, supported by technical guidance and farm forestry expertise. The programme has already supported the planting of more than 30 million saplings across over 30,000 acres. Farmers remain free to sell their harvest to the highest bidder. Merino provides additional assurance through its buyback mechanism and also purchases residual produce that may otherwise have limited market demand. This creates a regenerative model in which Merino supports, assures and guides farmers, while farmers build productive green assets and contribute to a more sustainable raw material ecosystem for the wood-based industry.
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From an industry perspective, which sustainability and raw-material challenges require greater attention across India’s wood panel and engineered board sector, and where do you see opportunities for responsible manufacturers?
Raw material availability is among the industry’s biggest challenges. The sector needs a dependable supply of wood while forest conservation remains a national priority. This makes scientific agroforestry and stronger farmer participation increasingly important. Energy intensity, emissions, waste management and consistency in environmental standards also require sustained attention. The opportunity lies in building a stronger ecosystem around renewable raw materials, cleaner manufacturing and engineered wood technology. Collaboration between manufacturers, farmers, policymakers and technology providers will be important in creating a more resilient and responsible industry.
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Merino has been investing in new products, advanced technologies and international certifications. How are changing customer requirements influencing product development and manufacturing?
Customer requirements are becoming increasingly specific, with greater demand for materials that combine design, performance, durability and specialised functionality. Recent innovations include Marine Board FR+, a fire-retardant board designed around European standards, and Marine Board Plus, developed with an enhanced surface for greater durability, screw-holding capability and CNC-routing applications. Marine Board FR+ brings fire-retardant performance to a boiling-waterproof board platform, with B-s1,d0 classification, very low smoke production and zero burning droplets. Marine Board Plus uses an 18 mm overall board construction that supports CNC routing, allowing grooves, patterns and profiles to be created directly on the board. Alongside these products, Prakriti brings hand-drawn and hand-painted nature-inspired designs to contemporary surfaces. We are also strengthening specialised laminates, exterior cladding and flooring solutions to address an increasingly diverse range of applications.
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Looking ahead, what are Merino’s priorities for the next three to five years, and how will these contribute to its philosophy of “Universal Weal through Trade & Industry”?
Our priorities for the next three to five years will continue to be guided by Merino’s philosophy of “Universal Weal through Trade & Industry.” Every effort across the organisation is directed towards this larger purpose of creating value through business while contributing to the wider well-being of society and the environment. We will continue to strengthen the work already underway through the Nirmal Programme, Education, Health and Agroforestry, while taking the business forward through responsible manufacturing and sustained growth. The objective remains clear: to grow the business while creating value for customers, employees, communities and the environment. That is how we see our philosophy transforming into everyday action.
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Rusen Kumar is the founder and managing editor of India CSR – The CSR chronicle of India. He writes regularly on CSR, Sustainability and Environmental affairs.
