DCM Shriram Ltd – Chemicals Business announced that its sustainable business endeavours at the Bharuch site have been conferred with the “CII-ITC Commendation for Significant Achievement in Environmental Management” recognition. The award was presented in a ceremony held in New Delhi on 19 th March 2024.
BM Patel, President and COO, and Arpit Nanavati, Joint VP-EHS, were presented with the prestigious award. The acknowledgment underlines DCM Shriram’s deep commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. The accolade follows a rigorous evaluation process that included a thorough physical assessment of the Bharuch site’s environmental management practices.
Patel said, “We thank the organizers and jury for this recognition. This award reaffirms our commitment to sustainable practices and environmental responsibility. We remain dedicated to continually enhancing our environmental management efforts”. He added, “At DCM Shriram, we believe in integrating environmental considerations into our operations, and this award further motivates the entire organization to strengthen our efforts on the pathway to sustainability”.
DCM Shriram Ltd – Chemicals Business won the recognition due to its tremendous work across several domains including adopting green energy pathways, water conservation efforts, waste minimization measures, and adopting sustainability processes, which included designed products/processes that are eco-friendly in nature to mitigate environmental impact during usage and disposal. These included the usage of washed salts in the production of caustic lye and flakes to reduce generation of brine sludge and less consumption of chemicals; recycling the brine solution in production to minimize freshwater quantity; hydrogen is generated during the electrolysis process which is used as green fuel in flaker operation for caustic flakes production in place of natural gas.
Furthermore, DCM Shriram Ltd Chemicals Business had strengthened its waste minimization efforts at the site. Through the optimization of the Sulphate Recovery System, the company has achieved a reduction in the generation of brine sludge. In the Aluminium Chloride Plant, modifications to the process have led to a decrease of 65% in the generation of solid hazardous waste. A food waste converter machine has been installed in the canteen, producing compost that is utilized within the green belt area of the plant premises to enhance soil health. Waste reduction is undertaken through the implementation of sulphate recovery system and rotary vacuum drum filter on-site.
Additionally, the company undertook effective water conservation initiatives at the site. A Reverse Osmosis system was installed for treating cooling tower blowdown, resulting in an improved cycle of concentration in cooling towers and a reduction in water consumption. A rainwater storage pond with a capacity of 1,500 m3 was established for water harvesting, and the collected rainwater is being reused within the premises as needed. Domestic wastewater (sewage) is treated separately in a sewage treatment plant, with the treated water (80KLD) being reused for the development of the green belt on the premises.
In mid-2023, the unit also started procuring wind-solar hybrid energy under an agreement with Renew Power to procure 50 MW of such energy. As per the press release, through innovative interventions in environmental impact mitigation, waste minimization, water conservation, and green energy initiatives, DCM Shriram continues to set benchmarks for responsible industrial practices. This recognition serves as a testament to the company’s dedication to driving positive environmental change while contributing to the well-being of communities and the planet.
