New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS): Japanese hygiene and sanitation product maker, Lixil group, which works with Swachh Bharat Mission at district level is seeking to expand its Sato toilets products to nine more states by next year, after launching last year.

"Since last year, we have already covered states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra and few parts of Rajasthan. These states, being densely populated will remain in our focus while we have plans to expand to nine more states in next one year," Jin Song Montesano, Chief Public Affairs Officer, Lixil Group told IANS on Thursday.

Primarily focusing on the rural and semi-urban population, the company for its expansion plans has joined hands with Unicef, and is working in collaboration with the SBM at the district level.

"Eighty per cent of the sanitation challenge is in the rural part. There, it is still more community based promotion of a product," Priyanka Tanwar, Head, Public Affairs Asia Pacific, Lixil added.

Talking about expansion plans in India, Montesano said they are looking for more partners especially those who can collaborate with Lixil for work in rural areas.