Latest news with #ZLD
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
When sustainability and low carbon are targets, a factory near Chennai sets an example
Among the hundreds of industries functioning in the Sriperumbudur industrial belt of Kancheepuram district, one factory seems to stand out as far as efficient use of natural resources of water and sunlight is concerned. A solar panel manufacturer has pioneered the art of saving water through the 'Zero liquid discharge' (ZLD) project, with zero waste generation. First Solar, a US-based wholly owned subsidiary of First Solar, Inc, operating within a water-intensive industry segment, is engaged in the manufacture of solar panels for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) located in the SIPCOT Industrial park of Pillaipakkam near Sriperumbudur. The 3.30 giga watt (GW) solar panel manufacturing factory, spanning more than 130 acres, has actualised the mantra of 'reuse, recycle, and repurpose' in the manufacturing process through efficient use of water and manufacturing waste. N.L. Selvakumar, head, environment and recycling, First Solar, who is in charge of the ZLD system, said the factory floor, spanning more than 24 lakh needs water for two purposes — cooling the factory and manufacturing. The company, which requires almost 3.60 million litres of water per day, had tied up with Metrowater to supply tertiary-treated reverse osmosis (RO) water from the Koyambedu sewage treatment plant for the factory's needs. But subsequently, the company set up their own water treatment facility (ZLD), resulting in the reduction of more than 50% dependence on the sourced RO water from Koyambedu plant. The ZLD system, which has been set up and managed in-house, extracts water from the discharged wastewater, and enables its reuse by producing 'ultra pure water' for the manufacturing and cooling processes, thereby drastically reducing the intake of water requirements. The system has enabled the creation of solar modules in the State with the lowest water footprint in the world, compared to traditional polysilicon-based solar panel production, according to the company. The factory, employing more than 1,400 persons, has also set up a sewage treatment facility, which operates a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) sewage treatment plant that utilises the treated water for watering the garden. Over 80 kilolitres per day of treated water is being generated, Mr. Selvakumar added. Sujoy Ghosh, Country Managing Director, First Solar, says the company's commitment to the environment not only lies in water conservation but also in generating clean electricity. He said as part of this, the company had installed their own captive solar plants of 53.66 mega watt (MW) in southern parts of the State. Mr. Ghosh further said the company's green footprint was 35% renewable energy, and ongoing solar projects promise expansion to 116.80 MW. Unlike the manufacturing waste generated by polysilicon-based solar panel producers, the factory, which generates 2% of industrial wastes, recycles them into minerals to be used again for solar panels and crushed glass.
Hindustan Times
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Inspection reveals open sewage, garbage dump at Tajpur complex
Serious environmental violations and worsening pollution levels have been found along the Buddha Nullah near the Tajpur Dairy Complex. A team from the Public Action Committee (PAC), led by activist Anita Sharma, conducted an inspection near the 5 MLD effluent treatment plant (ETP) on Sunday. The visit revealed shocking scenes of open sewage, garbage dumps, illegal encroachments, and foul-smelling conditions across the area. Temporary huts have taken over nearly one kilometre of the bank. These shanties lack toilets and proper drainage, and waste is dumped directly into the nullah. The nearby government fish market is also discharging waste into the water body. Roads leading to the site are broken and filthy, making the area almost unlivable. Two outlets were found releasing untreated wastewater straight into the nullah — one from the dairy complex and the other from the ETP itself. Residents living near the Tajpur complex have long raised concerns. 'We have been breathing foul air for months. Cattle waste and garbage are left out in the open,' said Harjit Singh, a local resident. Another resident, Shalini Arora, added, 'There is no accountability. Political leaders promise action during elections but disappear later.' The PAC held a meeting with dairy owners and suggested key steps: setting up a dairy cooperative society, following zero liquid discharge (ZLD) norms, building cow dung disposal points, and ensuring proper waste transport. A proposal was made to channel all dairy waste into a central gobar gas plant for sustainable treatment. PAC also recommended installing bio-digesters at dairy units, GPS tracking of waste vehicles, and quarterly audits. A community helpline and monitoring committees were also suggested to ensure transparency. Anita Sharma condemned the inaction of local authorities. 'The Buddha Nullah is choking due to negligence. If no urgent steps are taken, this will become a health disaster,' she said. Despite repeated promises, political parties have failed to act. Even the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had earlier proposed a parking and waste management system under the elevated road nearby, but it never materialised.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Punjab Pollution Control Board issues ultimatum to Ludhiana's scattered dyeing units to adopt zero-liquid-discharge technology or shift out of city.
Ludhiana: The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has issued a final ultimatum to nearly four-dozen scattered local dyeing units — adopt zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technology by the end of the year or shift operations outside the city. The directive is part of an intensified crackdown to prevent untreated industrial effluents from contaminating the Buddha Dariya, a heavily polluted urban drain in the heart of the city that joins the Satluj. While cleaning efforts outside Ludhiana have shown significant progress, authorities are struggling to curb wastewater inflows within city limits, from small-scale dyeing units particularly. R K Ratra, chief engineer at the PPCB, said: "Operators of these units must either install ZLD systems or relocate to designated industrial hubs. The deadline for infrastructure setup is Sept 2025, with full compliance expected by Dec." Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, a noted environmental activist, is spearheading efforts to restore the Buddha Dariya through community-driven 'kar sewa' (voluntary service). Despite these efforts, several units operating in pockets such as Industrial Area, Jalandhar Bypass, and Samrala Chowk continue discharging untreated wastewater into municipal sewers, undermining the broader cleanup mission. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 그랜저 월32만원에 신차장기렌트 지금 바로! ★특판할인★ 렌트런 할인 보기 Undo The owners of a few units have submitted compliance proposals to the PPCB. While a few are adopting ZLD, others prepare to move their operations outside city limits, where treated water will be repurposed for irrigation. Larger textile manufacturers, meanwhile, are opting to outsource dyeing to third-party fabricators or cease in-house processing altogether. Notably, while the PPCB urged Ludhiana's municipal corporation to disconnect sewer lines of non-compliant units more than two years ago, no action has been taken. Officials cite pending decisions from the state govt as the reason for inaction. As the Dec 2025 deadline looms, PPCB officials have claimed that monitoring and enforcement will intensify to ensure Ludhiana's waterways are no longer used as industrial dumping grounds. MSID:: 121314890 413 |
Fibre2Fashion
02-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Managing Director Shivtek Spechemi Industries Ltd
Shivtek's edge lies in Indian manufacturing at global scale Shivtek Spechemi Industries Ltd, a leading name in India's speciality chemicals landscape, has been steadily transforming the industry since its inception in 1987. The company, which began with a modest capacity of 400 MTPA, has now scaled up to an impressive 60,000 MTPA, backed by strong R&D, precision manufacturing, and global logistics capabilities. With three strategically located, eco-conscious production plants in Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat, and exports spanning over 75 countries, Shivtek has established itself as a trusted solutions provider across diverse sectors including textiles, polymers, and petrochemicals. As the textile industry faces increasing demand for high-performance, sustainable inputs, Fibre2Fashion spoke with Managing Director Dr. Amitt Nenwani to understand how the company is leveraging green chemistry, regulatory readiness, and process innovation to support the future of textile manufacturing. What are the major challenges textile manufacturers face today when it comes to sourcing high-performance yet eco-friendly chemical inputs? The biggest challenge is finding eco-aligned additives that do not compromise on throughput, colourfastness, or fabric handle. Additives that work in the lab often fail in real-scale production. Our aim is to offer high-performance green specialty additives that are built for the real-world—cost-effective, consistent, and production-ready. How is the shift towards sustainable and circular fashion influencing the demand for new-age textile additives globally? Today, chemical suppliers are pushed to deliver smarter, safe, and more circular inputs. The demand is no longer just about performance, it is about lifecycle impact, post-use recyclability, and process simplicity. Shivtek is developing green specialty additives with these shifts in mind, ensuring our solutions support both today's processing needs and tomorrow's sustainability goals. With increasing pressure for sustainability in textiles, how is Shivtek aligning its chemical solutions with eco-friendly and green manufacturing practices? We are actively building our next phase of growth around green specialty additives focusing on reducing process waste, enabling cleaner formulations, and integrating environmentally responsible raw materials. Our upcoming plants, including our caustic soda unit and speciality chlorinated product facilities are designed with ZLD principles, energy-efficient layouts, and sustainable process planning at the core. How do you see green specialty additives shaping the future of textile dyeing and finishing, especially in terms of environmental impact and industry adoption? Green specialty additives are set to define the next generation of textile processing by reducing toxicity, water usage, and overall chemical footprint. At Shivtek, we are developing low-residue, energy-efficient solutions that seamlessly integrate with existing machinery—ensuring manufacturers do not face expensive process overhauls. These additives also support circular material recovery and safer production environments. As part of our core textile and artificial leather strategy, we are committed to building green chemistry solutions that advance both industrial performance and environmental responsibility. With regulatory frameworks shaping the global textile supply chain, how is Shivtek ensuring its specialty additive offerings are aligned with responsible practices? Shivtek is carefully designing every new formulation and facility with compliance-readiness and environmental responsibility. Our green specialty additives are being built on principles of low toxicity, complete biodegradability, process compatibility, and minimised effluent load, which help manufacturers meet evolving global expectations without waiting for last-minute reformulations. With evolving global regulations, how is the textile industry adapting its chemical usage and supply chains to stay compliant? Manufacturers are demanding more than just MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), they want transparent sourcing, formulation traceability, and supply partners who understand global benchmarks. At Shivtek, we are committed to supplying consistent, traceable speciality additives with robust quality control, helping our customers adapt without disruption. How does Shivtek's specialty additive portfolio differentiate itself from global competitors, especially in meeting India's unique textile manufacturing needs? Shivtek's edge lies in Indian manufacturing at global scale. Our speciality additives are designed to work in local water conditions, high-throughput machines, and with materials widely used in India—like cotton-polyester blends and synthetic coatings. We are not just selling speciality additives, we are developing a support ecosystem around process compatibility, logistics, and responsiveness. Which of Shivtek's specialty additives are currently most in demand by the textile industry, and what key challenges do they address in textile processing? Our core products such as chlorinated paraffin, speciality plasticisers, speciality additives and specialty solvents are already used in coated textile, interlining, and synthetic leather applications. These additives help overcome issues like surface cracking, poor flexibility, and thermal degradation in textile-adjacent processes. We are seeing growing interest from textile processors who want consistent, industrial-grade speciality additives for finishing, lamination, and performance coatings. Can you elaborate on how your specialty chlorinated products support textile applications such as coatings or synthetic leather alternatives? Our specialty chlorinated products include speciality additives that work as a flame retardant and secondary plasticiser, commonly used in PVC-coated fabrics, synthetic leathers, and flexible laminates. A few of our chlorinated products are popular for their impact resistance, UV stability, and elongation, making it ideal for coated textiles, tarpaulins, footwear uppers, and technical outdoor materials. These products are especially relevant where textile meets function and durability. As textile manufacturers seek performance enhancement, are you developing any specialty additives tailored for improving fabric durability, colourfastness, or anti-odour properties? We are in the process of expanding our specialty additive capabilities for textiles, with a focus on durability, weather ability, and finish enhancement, especially in industrial-grade fabrics and coatings. While our core does not yet include anti-odour or colour-performance agents, we are engaging with customers who are looking for rugged, process-stable speciality green additives that enhance final product value. Are you collaborating directly with textile mills or fashion brands to co-develop customised chemical formulations? We are in conversation with mills and processors who want to upgrade their formulations for better performance and sustainability. Our collaborations focus on adapting existing speciality additives—such as those used in plastics and leather—for fabric lamination, coating, or processing enhancement. These partnerships are helping us shape practical, result-oriented solutions that serve textile and technical industries. What role will your upcoming production expansions in Gujarat and Rajasthan play in strengthening the textile industry's access to high-performance specialty additives domestically? The new facilities will allow us to scale domestic production of core additives—like caustic soda, CPE, chlorinated paraffin, and speciality plasticisers, all of which are essential to textile and leather industries. With our network expanding near key hubs like Surat, Bhilwara, and Ahmedabad, we will be positioned to serve manufacturers quickly, with stable supply and lower logistical costs. How are advancements in specialty additives enabling functional textiles—such as water-repellent, antimicrobial, or UV-resistant fabrics? Through formulation science, additives can now deliver multiple functions in a single treatment step. While we do not yet offer antimicrobial systems, our existing speciality additives are already used in applications requiring UV stability, flame resistance, and outdoor durability. We are expanding this into textiles that need to perform in industrial, automotive, and environmental exposure conditions. Looking ahead, what innovations in textile additives—be it functional finishes, circular materials, or energy-saving processes—do you see Shivtek exploring in the next 3–5 years? We are focusing on energy-efficient speciality additives, recyclable coating aids, and green process enhancers, especially for use in textiles that combine synthetic fibres with surface treatment layers. Whether it is low-curing coatings or water-resistant yet eco-compatible speciality additives, we are building a portfolio that answers to both functional performance and environmental relevance. DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of
