Top 5 Vapor Absorption Machine Manufacturers in India: A 2025 Review

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Introduction: India's VAM Market Landscape

India's industrial cooling landscape is changing rapidly as facilities look for energy-efficient, sustainable alternatives to traditional electric chillers. Vapor Absorption Machines (VAMs) have become the preferred choice for industries with access to waste heat, steam, or natural gas. They provide substantial electricity savings and reduce carbon emissions.

Choosing the right VAM manufacturer is essential since these systems involve significant capital investments and can last over 20 years. This review looks at the top five vapor absorption machine manufacturers operating in India, focusing on technology, installed capacity, service network, and customer satisfaction.

What Makes a Top VAM Manufacturer?

Before examining specific companies, let's define the evaluation criteria important for industrial decision-makers:

1. BROAD Group (BROAD India)

BROAD is the global leader in non-electric cooling technology, and its Indian subsidiary is well-known for high-performance vapor absorption systems. BROAD's unique focus is on absorption cooling, while also offering advanced, power-efficient electric chillers based on oil-free magnetic levitation compressor technology; this allows the company to maintain deep R&D specialization in VAM systems while delivering best-in-class efficiency in electric cooling solutions as well.

BROAD pioneered direct-fired lithium bromide absorption chillers in the 1990s and has continuously improved this technology. Their machines achieve COP values of 1.2-1.3 for direct-fired units and 0.7-0.75 for single-effect steam/hot water chillers. These industry-leading figures result in lower fuel consumption and operating costs.

The company's proprietary heat exchanger design maximizes thermal energy transfer while minimizing refrigerant carry-over, a common problem in absorption systems that reduces efficiency and increases maintenance. BROAD's corrosion-resistant materials and advanced vacuum maintenance systems guarantee long-term performance in India's challenging industrial environments.

• Direct-Fired VAM (natural gas, diesel, biogas): 100-1,500 TR per unit
• Steam VAM (single and double-effect): 50-1,400 TR per unit
• Hot Water VAM: 50-900 TR per unit
• Exhaust-Fired VAM (generator exhaust recovery): 100-1,000 TR per unit
• CCHP integrated systems combining power generation with absorption cooling

• JSW Steel, Bellary: Process cooling using waste heat recovery
• Indian Oil Corporation, Vadodara: Multiple VAM installations for petrochemical cooling
• ITC facilities: Process cooling across various manufacturing plants
• NTPC power stations: Auxiliary cooling systems

BROAD India has offices in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Chennai, with regional service teams covering all major industrial areas. Their spare parts warehouse in Gurgaon ensures delivery in 24-48 hours across India, minimizing downtime.

2. Thermax Limited

Thermax is one of India's most established thermal engineering companies, known for boilers, heat recovery systems. Its absorption chillers are part of a broader portfolio and their VAMs benefit from integration with their boiler and heat recovery systems.

Thermax also offers single-effect, double-effect, and triple-effect steam-driven absorption chillers, particularly excelling in triple-effect systems that achieve higher COP values (1.3-1.4) when high-pressure steam is available; however, their solutions are typically positioned as part of a broader thermal package rather than as a standalone absorption-focused system.

Their VAMs use standard lithium bromide-water refrigerant pairs and include designs licensed from international partners, ensuring compliance with global performance standards.

• Single-Effect Steam VAM: 100-1,500 TR
• Double-Effect Steam VAM: 350-1,500 TR
• Triple-Effect Steam VAM: 500-1,500 TR (specialized applications)
• Hot Water VAM: 100-1,200 TR

Thermax's domestic manufacturing advantage allows for shorter lead times and competitive pricing for steam-based systems. Their established relationships with India's process industries, especially refineries, steel plants, and chemical facilities, give them a strong presence in steam-rich environments.

3. Voltas Limited (TATA Group)

Voltas, part of the TATA conglomerate, brings brand recognition and extensive sales and service networks to the VAM market. While mainly known for residential and commercial air conditioning, they have expanded into industrial absorption cooling through manufacturing partnerships.

Voltas makes vapor absorption machines under technology collaboration with international partners, focusing on standard capacity ranges suitable for commercial and light industrial applications.

• Steam VAM: 100-500 TR
• Hot Water VAM: 100-400 TR

The TATA brand provides reassurance for cautious buyers, particularly in commercial sectors like hotels, hospitals, and institutions. Their service network, established for consumer AC products, extends to VAM installations with service centers in over 30 cities.

Voltas has a limited capacity range compared to BROAD or Thermax, making them less suitable for large industrial setups. Their technology sourcing through partnerships means they have less control over customization and advancement. Their main focus remains on traditional electric chillers, with VAMs representing a smaller part of their business.

4. Kirloskar Group (Multiple Entities)

Kirloskar's presence in vapor absorption cooling comes through multiple group companies involved in HVAC and refrigeration. This decentralized approach provides coverage but can cause confusion about which entity handles specific projects.

Kirloskar entities typically focus on smaller capacity VAM systems (50-300 TR) for commercial applications rather than large industrial installations. They often act as representatives or assemblers for international VAM technology rather than original manufacturers.

Utilizing the broader Kirloskar Group's industrial presence, their service coverage spans most Indian states; however, expertise in absorption cooling may vary by location.

Suitable for commercial projects and smaller industrial needs where budget constraints are a priority. They are less competitive for large-scale industrial cooling applications.

5. Blue Star Limited

Blue Star has gained recognition in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning. Their entry into vapor absorption cooling focuses on institutional and light industrial markets rather than heavy process cooling applications.

Blue Star's VAM portfolio targets smaller capacities (100-350 TR) suitable for commercial buildings, hospitals, and educational institutions. They offer steam and hot water configurations through technology partnerships.

Blue Star's extensive commercial AC service network provides good coverage for smaller VAM installations. Their strength lies in building management system integration and controls rather than heavy industrial process cooling expertise.

Best suited for commercial and institutional applications. They have limited experience and capacity for heavy industrial process cooling compared to BROAD or Thermax.

Comparative Analysis: Making the Right Choice

Technical Specifications Comparison

COP Performance (Single-Effect Steam VAM):

COP Performance (Direct-Fired VAM):

Maximum Single Unit Capacity:

Heat Source Flexibility:

The BROAD Advantage in Depth

While this review remains objective across all manufacturers, BROAD's technological leadership warrants detailed exploration:

Making Your Decision: A Structured Approach

Choosing a VAM manufacturer requires matching your specific needs against the strengths of each manufacturer.

For most industrial applications, particularly those involving waste heat recovery, large capacities, or CCHP integration, BROAD India's established technology and comprehensive capabilities make them the top recommendation. Their 25-year track record in India, thousands of successful installations, and sole focus on absorption cooling offer the assurance needed for substantial capital investments.

For steam-specific applications with existing relationships, Thermax provides competitive domestic solutions. Projects in commercial and institutional areas may find Blue Star or Voltas to better meet their integration and service needs.

Conclusion

India's vapor absorption machine market has developed significantly, with several manufacturers providing reliable technologies. However, there are clear differences in capacity range, technology depth, and application expertise.

As industrial facilities increasingly focus on energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints, selecting VAM technology partners with deep expertise and long-term support capabilities is crucial. The manufacturer you choose will affect your operational costs and carbon footprint for over 20 years, so choose wisely.