Maulik Patel – Chairman & Managing Director – Epigral Limited believes that Sustainability is a strategic imperative that goes beyond compliance—it’s about future-proofing operations, fostering innovation, and creating lasting value for society, stakeholders, and the planet.
Chemical Industry Digest (CID): Are sustainability goals becoming more central to core business strategy, or are they still largely seen as compliance-driven initiatives? The industrial scenario is awash with discussions on Sustainability. But are chemical and allied industries making tangible progress towards carbon-light manufacturing? To what extent is there real momentum behind using renewables, biomass, and CO2 as alternative sources for chemical building blocks? How far have companies moved beyond pilot-scale initiatives to true industrial-scale circular manufacturing?
Maulik Patel (MP): The Indian chemical industry is currently undergoing a significant transformation as it strives to adopt sustainable practices and integrate circular economy principles into its operations. A key aspect of this transformation is the need to reduce the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing processes. Traditionally, this industry has been associated with high energy consumption, extensive water usage, and substantial waste generation. In response to these challenges, Indian chemical companies are increasingly implementing cleaner production techniques, optimizing resource utilization, and investing in green technologies.
Initiatives such as energy-efficient manufacturing processes, water recycling systems, and waste-to-energy projects are becoming integral to sustainable chemical production. The sector also relies heavily on natural resources, including fossil fuels and coal, which can lead to harmful effluents and environmental pollution if not managed properly.
To combat these issues, Indian chemical companies have adopted practices that promote the reuse, recycling, and recovery of resources, helping to minimize waste generation and maximize resource efficiency. By integrating closed-loop systems, which recycle or repurpose by-products and waste streams, these companies are finding promising ways to reduce their environmental footprint and conserve valuable resources. Additionally, the implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) frameworks encourages chemical manufacturers to take accountability for the entire lifecycle of their products, from production to disposal.
CID: How is your company integrating sustainability into your business model, and what key steps have you taken to reduce your environmental footprint? What are the most promising routes today for achieving sustainable manufacturing: a. fuels & feedstocks – transition to biobased, renewables, hydrogen? b. revisiting existing products, processes, and chemistries; doing away with harmful products, greening existing processes, process intensification? c. any other?
MP: At Epigral Ltd, we have implemented measures to protect the environment, reduce waste and pollutants, conserve resources, and recycle materials throughout the product lifecycle. Our focus includes minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and expanding the use of renewable energy sources as an integral part of our energy portfolio.
We have embedded an Environmental Management System (EMS) into our programs to ensure comprehensive ecological responsibility.
We are also into generating green and sustainable power generation. We monitor the Company’s environmental performance closely and regularly communicate our environmental initiatives to stakeholders. Epigral is dedicated to long-term environmental stewardship, having improved our targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and energy efficiency.
To ensure compliance with environmental regulations, we have implemented an online monitoring system to track emissions and effluents from our processes, including stack and flue gas monitoring and management at our Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP).
We have also commissioned a sewage treatment plant (STP) to facilitate the reuse of treated water, reduce water consumption, and promote responsible water management practices. Additionally, hazardous waste generated at our plant is recycled and reused in our water treatment processes, specifically in the plant’s cooling tower. This initiative minimizes waste generation and supports a circular economy approach to waste management.
We have discontinued the use of barium carbonate for salt treatment and adopted a sulphate removal system (SRS) that employs membrane technology, significantly reducing the release of harmful substances into the environment.
We produce ECH using the glycerine route, which is a more sustainable process. Glycerine can be obtained from renewable resources, resulting in a 50% reduction in power consumption and a tenfold decrease in water usage compared to the traditional propylene method. Additionally, glycerine is a greener, fully renewable raw material when compared to propylene.
We have also allocated 33% of the land area at our manufacturing facility to a green belt, which helps preserve natural habitats, biodiversity, and ecological balance.
Chemical Industry Digest (CID): How are companies navigating the trade-offs between sustainability, scalability, and cost-efficiency in manufacturing innovations? How are companies preparing for a future where fossil fuels may no longer be the dominant feedstock for chemical production?
MP: Innovation plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability within the chemical industry. By leveraging advancements in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and process optimization, the industry can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, lower toxic emissions, and develop sustainable alternatives to traditional chemicals.
Collaboration throughout the value chain is essential for fostering a circular economy in the chemical sector. Partnerships among manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers can enhance resource exchange, promote closed-loop systems, and drive innovation in product design and recycling technologies. Companies that prioritize sustainability and quickly implement solutions will have a significant competitive advantage, allowing them to pursue growth opportunities while maintaining their operational licenses.
To achieve net-zero emissions, the chemical industry must innovate across all segments of the value chain. This includes developing new processes that are carbon-neutral or low-carbon, utilizing greener energy sources, and sourcing sustainable raw materials.
CID: There are many sustainability certifications and indexing today including on sustainability reporting. Could you please let us know your company’s position on this?
MP: At Epigral, we are committed to sustainability practices and have obtained the following certifications:
Responsible Care Certification
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System Certification: This certification minimizes the impact of hazardous processes on the environment and ensures that our products do not pose any environmental risks. It includes Management Systems for Occupational Health and Safety, prioritizing employee safety and well-being.
ISO 50001 – Energy Management Certification: This certification is aimed at improving overall energy efficiency and reducing operating expenses, while also registering thirty chemical substances and testing articles for compliance with Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC).
ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Certification: This certification ensures compliance with European market regulations through the Responsible Care initiative, which is a voluntary commitment by the global chemical industry to continuously improve the safe management of chemicals and achieve excellence in Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security (EHS&S) performance.
There are other certifications on quality, on individual products like glycerine, CPCV resin etc that we have received.
CID: How critical is in-house R&D in driving the shift towards sustainable production pathways versus collaboration with start-ups, academia, and tech providers? How is the development of new processes based on sustainability taking place?
MP: Research and Development (R&D) are integral components of any successful manufacturing organization, and our R&D centre plays a pivotal role in reinforcing our leadership in the specialty chemicals sector. Our dedicated R&D team comprises skilled scientists and engineers who are committed to advancing our capabilities by continuously refining the manufacturing processes for both existing and new products. By employing cutting-edge technologies and innovative methodologies, we focus on optimizing every aspect of our production processes.
CID: Can you share your company’s ESG strategy, and how it aligns with the welfare of your stakeholders, of local communities and society as a whole? What steps have your company taken to ensure a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace?
MP: The Company Management and Board actively establishes and supervises Epigral’s global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives and framework from oversight of operations, supply chain management, climate change initiatives to environmental stewardship and social considerations.
The Board conducts thorough assessments of all significant ESG policies, processes, and goals, and it receives regular updates, statutory reports, and financial statements from the ESG team regarding progress against key performance indicators and relevant developments.
The executive leadership cross functional team oversees and executes Epigral’s ESG strategy in all functions.
The leadership team engages regularly with stakeholders, including consumers, customers, shareholders, employees, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community leaders. The CEO, along with key leadership and other team members, is accountable for ESG key performance metrics, which are linked to compensation tied to all ESG initiatives.
CID: How can industry and government collaborate better to accelerate the transition to sustainable chemicals and fuels? What kind of policy frameworks or incentive structures are still missing to scale sustainable production across the sector?
MP: The Indian chemical industry has made noteworthy progress toward sustainability by shifting its focus from mere compliance to proactive global engagement. This transformation is inspired by global initiatives in the chemical industry, such as Responsible Care and India’s own initiative, Nicer Globe. Currently, climate change, regulatory compliance, and consumer demands are driving chemical companies to integrate sustainable practices in their manufacturing processes. This not only improves their competitive advantage but also enhances their brand image.
Eco-friendly manufacturing processes, driven by green chemistry and the integration of renewable energy, are reshaping the chemical landscape by significantly reducing waste, emissions, and the ecological footprint of the industry. The journey toward sustainability begins with the responsible sourcing of raw materials, which emphasizes ethical labour practices, minimal environmental impact, social responsibility toward local communities, and traceability throughout the supply chain.
The Indian government, along with various state authorities, provides tax benefits, subsidies, and grants to companies investing in green technologies and sustainable practices. For instance, the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme incentivizes improvements in energy efficiency. Financial institutions are also increasingly supporting sustainable projects by offering favourable financing options. These incentives aim to ease the financial burden of transitioning to sustainable operations, promote innovation, and ensure that the Indian chemicals sector aligns with global environmental standards, thus contributing to the country’s broader climate goals.
Creating a strong policy environment is essential for scaling green finance in India. To maximize impact, Indian policy makers need to take note of several key policy considerations such as
Green Taxonomy – Establishing a transparent and standardized classification system for green investments.
Integrated Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) System – Implementing a uniform framework to track financial flows, identify constraints, pinpoint areas needing additional finance, and enhance transparency.
Coordinated Policy Interventions – Focusing on improving technology and mainstreaming supply chains to accelerate investment and adoption in priority sectors that are currently lagging.
By addressing these considerations, India can strengthen its position in the global chemicals market while advancing its sustainability goals.
