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 March 19. 2024.

BM Patel, President & COO, and Arpit Nanavati, Joint VP - EHS, received the award on behalf of DCM Shriram Ltd - Chemicals Business. This 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.

Expressing delight on receiving the award, 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 on the back of its tremendous work across several domains including adopting green energy pathways, water conservation efforts, waste minimization measures, and adopting sustainability processes.

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.

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 1500 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.