Environment sustainability is a key metric of Tata Chemicals' ESG journey. We humbly acknowledge the impact of our actions on environment and life on earth, and are committed to creating a more sustainable and equitable future for all. We are investing continuously in chemistries that drive sustainable growth for the company, and long-term value creation for our stakeholders.
Our environment commitments are inspired by Tata Group’s sustainability ambition, as articulated in its Project Aalingana. They cover the critical areas of Climate, Resources (Energy, Water & Material), Waste Management, as well as Nature and Biodiversity.
GHG Emissions, NOx & SOx
Water, Solid Waste, Renewable Energy
Plantation, Species, Resource Conservation
Cognisant of the impact of climate change and the importance of reducing our carbon footprint, we have committed ourselves to minimising our greenhouse gas emissions. In line with our commitment, we have initiated various projects, with several more in the pipeline.
FY2021-22 data revised with all subsidiaries including Rallis
For detailed information on sustainability performance, please refer to our website at https://sustainability.tatachemicals.com/
Adoption of low emission fuels is critical to the achievement of our decarbonisation goals.
We have implemented energy efficiency measures across our operations with the aim to reduce our energy consumption and lower our carbon emissions. Since 2014, specific energy consumption of vacuum salt (one of the key products in our India unit), has decreased from 6.44 GJ / tonne to 4.29 GJ / tonne. In 2023, we undertook a comprehensive energy audit and identified several areas for improvement of energy efficiency, including upgrading our equipment, optimising our manufacturing processes, and improving insulation. Additionally, we are constantly evaluating new technologies, to further optimise energy utilisation.
Progressing on our sustainability drive, we have realised energy savings to the tune of around 1,33,590 Kwh through process optimisation in our Kenya operations. We installed two Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs - of 30 Kw and 55 Kw motor ratings - at the fan drives there during FY 2021-22. The drives were put in for the calcination process, enabling optimisation of speed and load. Two soft starters of 110 Kw were also installed at the dredge pump stations. The soft starters use internal circuitry to regulate voltage supplied to the motor, ensuring a slow and graceful start and drawing much less current.
The launch of the container rake movement during FY 2020-21 enabled us to sustain our operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The transition was challenging, on account of the existing track line infrastructure and limited space for handling operations at our premises. The need to unload and load 90 containers in limited time posed a huge challenge. Persuading the customers to adopt the new model was also not easy. It was only the assurance of enhanced speed, safety and hygiene that helped us convince them.
Two years on, the container rake movement model is proving to be a success.
Benefits
In line with our sustainability focus, we are committed to increasing the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and hybrid power, in our business operations. Our salt works produce ~3 Mn MT of raw salt and other marine chemicals by using direct solar energy for evaporation. This helps prevent burning of 18 million tonnes of coal, leading to avoidance of ~33 Mn MT of CO2 emissions every year. We also plan to install solar power plant in Kenya and hybrid capacity in India.
In June 2022, we took a major step forward in our carbon capture journey with the official opening of UK’s first and largest industrial scale carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) plant. The initiative equipped us to make the world’s first carbon neutral sodium bicarbonate. Supported by a £4.2 million grant from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the £20 million investment at our Winnington site has helped in capturing 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. This is equivalent to taking 20,000 cars off the roads!
In a world-first initiative, we are purifying the carbon dioxide thus captured from energy generation emissions to food and pharmaceutical grade, for use as a raw material in the manufacture of sodium bicarbonate. We aim to export the sodium bicarbonate, branded as EcoKarb®, to over 60 countries around the world. Much of the sodium bicarbonate exported will be used in haemodialysis to treat people living with kidney disease.
As part of our efforts to promote sustainable growth through circular economy, we have adopted the 3R (Reuse, recycle and reduce) waste strategy at our manufacturing facilities. Our waste management approach covers solid waste, effluents and by-products.
Our journey of value creation through waste management is a continuous one. Back in 1993, we installed a 1,000 TPD cement plant to consume solid waste generated from chemical complexes, such as undersize limestone from soda ash and fly ash from power plant. Six years later, we expanded our cement plant capacity to 2,500 TPD to enable consumption of waste solid waste generated from soda ash. We have, through targeted initiatives, succeeded in using 100% of the solids generated in cement manufacturing, green belt development and management of the Padali ponds.
However, given the limitation in the use of solids in each of these processes individually, we decided to undertake a study on the production of a precast admixture using the soda ash effluent process residue. The aim was to develop an admixture that could give high early strength, reduce water in concrete, and ensure improved workability. We conducted an experiment with different proportions of effluent solids and super plasticiser to analyse the effect on precast mould.
A series of lab and on-site trials, including at the vendor sites, led to the production and commissioning of BUILTONIC 2TPD (80% effluent solids + 20% super plasticiser).
Infographic indicates % change after use of admixture (1 kg added to 50 kg cement bag) with OPC 53
Water reduction %
Rapid setting IST %
Rapid setting FST %
Density improvement %
Compressive strength %
To reduce the quantity of hazardous waste generated from our effluent treatment plant at Mithapur, we have installed two solar dryers for drying of wet hazardous waste. The benefit is significant – as against ~80-90% w/w initial moisture content of solid waste, the moisture content of hazardous waste is down to less than 20% w/w.
Benefits
The installation of the solar dryer resulted in reduction of hazardous waste generation from 480 MT to 199 MT in 11 months of operation.
Tata Chemicals is committed to conserving and strengthening biodiversity in and around the areas of its operations. Our initiatives include:
Seeing an increase in the presence of birds of dry deciduous forest habitat in Mithapur in Gujarat over the past few years, Tata Chemicals launched a dry deciduous forest development project in the region in August 2019. The project was aimed at attracting birds preferring such habitats (like the Asian Paradise Flycatcher, the Magpie Robin and the Golden Oriole) and encouraging them to stay and nest here.
Under the project, plantation work has been completed over 35 acres. Trees for plantation were selected based on a study of the dry deciduous forest species of Barda Wildlife sanctuary and Gir forest (the two dry deciduous forests located near Mithapur). The bulk of the saplings planted in Mithapur have been developed at our in-house nursery at the Okhamandal Seva Trust.
Our employees from across departments, along with their family members, have been contributing to the project in multiple ways, such as site clearance and land development work, nursery activities for raising indigenous flora saplings, plantation at site, irrigation and maintenance, etc.
The project has so far generated over
3,000 voluntary hours.
Tata Chemicals has been working on mangrove ecosystem restoration through Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development (TCSRD) at Mithapur (Gujarat), Sundarbans (West Bengal) and Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu). During FY 2022-23, a total of 2,17,500 mangroves were planted - 2,04,000 in Sundarbans and 13,500 in Cuddalore.
The importance of mangrove ecosystems lies in the benefits and services they offer. These include providing habitats for a wide range of species, and as a source of food, medicines, and forestry products. Mangroves functions also indirectly support economic activity, such as through nutrient recycling, water purification and flood control.
Tata Chemicals' conservation projects approach is linked to the creation of livelihood opportunities for local communities.
