The Hindu Business Line : Chlor-alkali industry urged to adopt modern tech

The long-term growth and survival of chlor-alkali industry in India is dependent on its ability to cope with the challenging objectives of economic and environmental sustainability, according to experts from the industry.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the state Public Sector, Travancore Cochin Chemicals Ltd here, they said that issues such as optimisation of energy use in the production process, adoption of latest technology and practices, productivity improvements, attaining “zero effluent discharge”, and emphasis on safer plant operations were areas that demanded special attention.

Inaugurating the seminar, the State Minister for Industries, Mr Elamaram Kareem, said that the caustic soda and chlorine industry, in which TCC is the pioneer manufacturer in the country since 1951, provides basic chemicals to support a wide variety of manufacturing activities in the chemical processing industry.

Higher growth

The chlor-alkali industry is on a higher growth trajectory in India. With the expected GDP growth, the manufacturing sector is set to grow at a higher pace and consequently, the demand for basic chemical shall register a sharp increase, he said.

Presenting the papers, experts said that as the chlor-alkali industry is energy intensive, proper selection of technology with a serious concern for energy efficiency is very important for the long-term survival of the industry, taking note of energy scenario in the country.

More open and positive interaction among the industry operators are also important for sharing information on best practices being adopted in order to collectively sustain the industry in the long run.

To address these challenges, they said, it is important to bridge the information gap that exists at various levels with the support of technology providers to chlor-alkali plants and other stake holders. The seminar is intended to address these issues and to take the company a step ahead, Dr M.P. Sukumaran Nair, Managing Director, TCC, said.

Those presented papers included eminent resource persons from major technology providers in Chlor-alkali industries such as Asahi Glass Company Ltd and Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation (both from Japan); Uhde India Ltd, ABB Ltd, E.I. DuPont Pvt Ltd, De Nora India, Alfa Laval (India) Ltd.

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