Here, Anurag Roy, CEO of Astec LifeSciences Ltd elaborates on how chemical industry can firmly take on the challenges of sustainability through R&D, shift to renewables and circular manufacturing.
Q 1. Chemical Industry Digest (CID): How are sustainability issues driving the future of the chemical industry. What are the challenges for the chemical industry on the road to sustainability, addressing climate change issues?
Anurag Roy (AR): The chemical industry in India faces critical sustainability challenges such as high energy consumption, water usage, and hazardous waste. To address these issues, adopting a robust sustainability roadmap is imperative. This includes enhancing energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy, conserving water, and improving waste management. Aligning with global sustainability standards and integrating cleaner production technologies will reduce environmental impact while fostering economic growth. Transitioning to a low-carbon footprint demands investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon capture, and bio-based feedstocks. Embracing circular economy principles for waste valorization and promoting collaboration and innovation are crucial. At AstecLifeSciences Ltd, sustainability drives our business strategy. We focus on innovation, strategic partnerships, operational excellence, and cost leadership to achieve sustainable growth while benefiting society and the environment.
Q 2. CID: What is the crucial role of R&D and Innovation to drive sustainability?
AR: Today, the chemical industry’s journey towards sustainability is fuelled by continuous investment in R&D and innovation. Innovator companies in technology and pharmaceutical sectors prioritize substantial budgets for R&D to drive innovation and maintain competitiveness. In contrast, Indian companies historically allocate smaller portions of their revenue to R&D, particularly outside of IT. Recognizing the importance of global competitiveness, Indian firms, including start-ups and established corporations, are increasingly focusing on R&D to foster innovation, develop new technologies, and secure future growth. Enhancing R&D efforts is crucial for adapting to technological shifts and meeting evolving market demands, positioning India as a hub for innovation and driving economic growth. Addressing challenges such as funding constraints and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government are essential to sustaining this momentum and achieving long-term technological leadership.
With an aim to offer innovative solutions to our innovator customers,last year we inauguratednew R&D center in Rabale, Navi Mumbai. Named The Adi Godrej Center for Research and Development,the infrastructure at our facility will enable us to develop a newer range of sustainable cost-effective products at a faster pace and at a greater scale.
Q 3. CID: How can sustainability open up new business opportunities in the Chemical industry?
AR: Sustainability is a strategic springboard for growth. Eco-conscious consumers are driving demand for eco-friendly products, creating a fertile market for companies that can deliver. India is recognized for its rigorous environmental regulations, setting a high standard for industries to operate responsibly, prioritizing the well-being of both communities and ecosystems. This commitment not only ensures compliance but also cultivates trust and long-term partnerships.
Our strategic approach revolves around ongoing improvements in product quality, minimizing waste output, and embracing environmentally friendly solvents and state-of-the-art technologies. By continually refining these practices, we demonstrate our unwavering dedication to fostering a sustainable future, where innovation and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
Q 4. CID: What are the advances in the shift towards renewables from petro based feedstocks, biomass, CO2 as feedstock, algae based developments?
AR: The chemical industry is increasingly exploring alternatives to traditional petro-based feedstocks, driven by the need for sustainability and the rising demand for renewable resources. This shift encompasses various innovative approaches, including the use of biomass, CO2 as a feedstock, and developments in algae-based technologies. One particularly promising avenue is the utilization of algae as a renewable feedstock. Algae have the unique capability to capture CO2 while producing valuable biomass that can be transformed into a wide array of chemical products. This method not only provides a sustainable source of raw materials but also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Significant progress has been made in adopting renewable pathways.
For example, the use of electrolysis to generate hydrogen from water has gained momentum. This hydrogen can serve as a clean feedstock for various chemical processes or as a fuel source, further decreasing dependence on fossil resources.Additionally, integrating biomass into value chains has created new opportunities for sustainable chemical production. Modern chemicals are increasingly being derived from renewable biomass sources like agricultural residues, forestry by products, and dedicated energy crops. This approach not only enhances resource efficiency but also creates economic opportunities for rural communities and fosters the development of a circular bio economy.
Q 5. CID: How to advance towards circular manufacturing/circular economy?
AR: To embed a circular manufacturing mindset in an organization, companies should emphasize education on sustainability principles and the benefits of a circular economy. Setting clear targets for resource efficiency, waste reduction, and closed-loop systems, empowering employees to innovate and contribute to these goals. By integrating comprehensive waste management strategies that treat waste as a resource, we aim to maximize recovery and minimize environmental impact, reducing our reliance on virgin materials and creating new economic opportunities. We prioritize designing sustainable, biodegradable products with lifecycle considerations for easy recycling, reuse, or decomposition. Collaboration across the value chain is crucial, fostering partnerships to identify synergies and build integrated ecosystems that enhance circularity and resource efficiency. Through these efforts, we strive to ensure that everything we produce is either used or recycled, eliminating waste and promoting a sustainable future.
Q 6. CID: Comprehensive water management and advances in water treatment technologies for enhancing water efficiency.
AR: A key focus area for many chemical companies is the implementation of advanced water recycling and reuse systems. By treating and purifying wastewater streams, it is possible to create closed-loop systems that minimize reliance on fresh water sources, thereby reducing environmental impact and ensuring long-term water security for industrial operations Moreover, the chemical industry is actively exploring the potential of innovative water treatment technologies, such as membrane filtration, advanced oxidation processes, and biotechnological approaches. These cutting-edge solutions offer superior removal of contaminants, enabling more effective treatment and reuse of water while minimizing the environmental impact of industrial operations. At Astec, we are dedicated to designing energy and water-efficient manufacturing using the best in class Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) for all our operating plants. We have installed a Multiple Effect Evaporator (MEE). The MEE reduces Total Dissolved Solids in the distillate, allowing for further treatment in the Activated Sludge Process (ASP). Following ASP treatment, the water is efficiently recycled to achieve ZLD.
Q 7. CID: How do latest process control and analytical instrumentation enables sustainable operations?
AR: The latest advancements in process control and analytical instrumentation are revolutionizing the chemical industry, enabling sustainable operations and driving efficiency across the board. One of the key benefits of modern process control systems is increased automation, which translates into reduced downtime and improved operational efficiency. Moreover, the latest analytical instrumentation provides unprecedented insights into our processes and products.
By utilizing techniques such as advanced spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry, we can gain a deeper understanding of our material streams, enabling us to identify opportunities for optimization, resource recovery, and waste minimization. These advancements also enable us to operate our plants more efficiently, with increased control and visibility. Currently, we can monitor and control our operations from centralized control rooms, leveraging real-time data and advanced process control algorithms. This level of automation and remote monitoring not only improves our operations but also enhances safety and minimizes the risk of environmental incidents.
Furthermore, the integration of advanced analytical instrumentation with data analytics and machine learning algorithms opens up new frontiers in predictive maintenance. By leveraging data-driven insights, we can anticipate and address potential issues before they occur, minimizing downtime, reducing waste, and ensuring sustainable operations. All Astec’s plants are equipped with latest technology in terms of process control and analytics.
Q 8. CID: How are emerging technologies like AI, Blockchain, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Digitisation can enable sustainability in the chemical industry?
AR: Astec Lifesciences leverages advanced technologies to transform the chemical industry, enhancing sustainability and fostering innovation. Our manufacturing plants employ data analytics for optimizing processes and monitoring operations. Additionally, we have digitized our R&D centres to drive continuous improvement and innovation. While India’s adoption of AI and blockchain technologies in the chemical sector may currently be limited, Astec remains proactive in tracking emerging technologies for future opportunities. This strategic approach ensures we stay at the forefront of industry advancements, poised to capitalize on new developments for sustainable growth and efficiency.
Source Links:
- Sustainability roadmap for Indian chemical industry
- Role of R&D in achieving sustainable goals
- How to be profitable and sustainable in the chemicals industry
- A systematic review of industrial wastewater management: Evaluating challenges and enablers
- What Is Water Management? – 8 Best Innovative Practices for Water Management
- Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP)
- Astec Annual Report
- Integrating machine learning techniques into optimal maintenance scheduling
