The Japanese major has rolled out its new Sato series in MP & UP. It plans to launch the series in eight states within the next three months

By Mrinmoy Bhattacharjee

Tokyo-headquartered global housing and building leader Lixil Group Corporation has launched its ‘tailored’ Sato series of toilet products in India. The company is eyeing the country’s emerging toilet-sanitation market triggered by the government’s ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ programme. It timed the India launch of Sato for World Toilet Day observed on November 19.

The Japanese major has rolled out the new Sato series in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It plans to launch the series in eight states within the next three months.

Sato

“Over the last year, we have scaled our efforts to improve access to safe sanitation for communities around the world, including in India. By supporting the Swachh Bharat Mission in India, we can expand our efforts and make a real contribution to solving the sanitation crisis,” said the company’s executive officer and senior managing director Jin Montesano in a press statement. “We believe that offering innovative, safe, and affordable solutions can aid in eliminating India’s struggle against open defecation.”

Montesano added that the Sato series features a carefully tailored design that addresses some of the “unique” design challenges hindering sustainable use of toilets in India. “Since the introduction of Swachh Bharat Mission and the government’s initiative to eradicate open defecation by 2019, the number of people still defecating in the open has dropped from 550 million (55 crore) to an estimated 320 (32 crore) million.”

Sato products are already in use and improving sanitation for over six million people around the world, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, Montesano added. With the launch of its latest products in India, Montesano said that Lixil hopes to further improve sanitation and raise the standards of living for “impacted” communities worldwide.

Stressing on the India-specific innovative properties of the new product, she explained, “Approximately 47,000 Twin-Pit Pour-Flush (TPPF) latrines are built in India every day, but most require more than five liters to flush and feature a junction box for switching between pits that is prone to clogging. The new generation of Sato uses an innovative V-trap configuration connecting the twin pits. This design makes switching between the two pits easier and eliminates clogging. The Sato V-trap connection system also requires approximately 80% less water per flush.

The product’s new V-Trap connection system, a twin-pit pour-flush latrine, is being installed by local masons.”
Sato products, which retail for $10 or less depending on country and model, incorporate a simple yet clever self-closing trap door. This effectively reduces transmission of disease and minimises odours, making the toilet safer and more pleasant to use, Montesano added.