Malu Kamble is redefining industrial waste as a resource for the future

When Malu Kamble walks into a room, he carries not just years of engineering expertise but also a bold belief: liquid waste is not a problem—it’s an opportunity. As the Managing Director of Hyderabad-based KEP Engineering, he has made it his mission to change how industries think about waste. “Liquid waste is no longer a burden—it’s a resource,” he says with quiet conviction. And this is not just a slogan. Under his leadership, KEP Engineering has become one of the country’s most trusted names in liquid waste management, helping industries shift from waste disposal to waste recovery. For years, industries treated wastewater as something to be eliminated—the sooner, the cheaper, the better. But Malu saw things differently.

He saw value where others saw a problem. And he knew that with the right technology and mindset, waste streams could be transformed into something useful: clean water, recovered chemicals, even energy. “At KEP, we don’t just build machines—we offer solutions that make industries more responsible, more efficient, and more future-ready,” he explains. His approach is clear: industries must go beyond basic compliance.

They must innovate. They must transform waste into wealth. KEP's ZLD (Zero Liquid Discharge) systems are engineered with advanced technologies such as Multi-Effect Evaporators (MEE), Agitated Thin Film Dryers (ATFD), Mechanical Vapor Recompression Evaporation (MVRE), CIGAR (Condensate Integrated Gas Recovery), and Customized Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs). These systems are tailored to suit the complex wastewater profiles of diverse sectors—including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automobiles, metals & steel, textiles, food processing, solar PV cells, and specialty manufacturing. KEP’s systems are now used by companies across these industries—from small factories to large plants—helping turn toxic wastewater into reusable resources. Their ZLD systems are designed to leave nothing behind: no spills, no pollution, no waste. Behind this technology lies KEP’s deep commitment to research and development. The team focuses on improving energy efficiency, lowering emissions, and reducing the lifetime cost of running a plant.

But for Malu, innovation is only part of the story. What truly matters is impact. He believes industries need to think long-term. “Fresh water is not unlimited. If we keep using it like this, there won’t be enough for future generations. But if we recycle, reuse, and recover, we can change the story,” he says. His words come from experience, not theory. With more than 550 wastewater systems installed across 35 industry types, KEP’s work is helping shape a new industrial future—one that’s cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable. For Malu Kamble, it’s personal. He doesn’t just run a company—he leads a movement where engineering meets ethics, and where waste becomes hope.