Chemplast Sanmar plans to discharge zero waste soon

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Chemplast Sanmar Limited will implement “Zero Liquid Discharge” of effluents from its plants from January 2008. The facility will be commissioned mid-December.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, Chemplast Sanmar chairman N. Sankar said not even a drop of water would be let out, and Chemplast Sanmar would be the first chemical company in India to achieve zero discharge of effluents. It had invested Rs. 27 crore in Mettur and Rs 15 crore in Cuddalore. The operating cost would be Rs. 4 crore a year. The Karaikal facility had already implemented the scheme.

Water to be recycled

Chemplast Sanmar managing director, P.S. Jayaraman said the company had invested Rs. 150 crore, over the last five years, to address environmental issues. “Currently, we are discharging 1,425 kilo litres per day (kld) of water, and this would come down to zero from January. We are going to separate water and solid waste through reverse osmosis, evaporators and crystallisers. About 99 per cent of the recovered water will be recycled and the waste used for preparing industrial salt.”

Sustainability report

On Monday, Chemplast Sanmar brought out, for the first time, ‘Sustainability Report 2007,' which is based on the Global Reporting Initiative. This voluntary disclosure covers the company's overview and economic, environmental and social indicators. In the coming days, the report will be audited by third party agencies.

“Sustainability can be achieved through the combination of economic progress, environment compliance and social commitment. Even the absence of one factor could lead to either instability or isolation or business downfall. Our focus on the environment will ensure the efficient use of natural resources to safeguard the limited natural endowments. We focus on what we do to the environment, society and the company,” Mr. Jayaraman said.

“We are committed to the environment, and these measures are not going to add to our profits. We are ready to work with NGOs and with other stakeholders,” Mr. Sankar said.