Tackling industrial waste is one of the biggest challenges toward a sustainable future. Industrial waste management is a significant problem in India, especially given the country's rapid industrialization and growing urban population. India produces over 63 million tonnes of waste every year. A significant amount of this comes from industrial activity.
As a key player in the surface solutions industry, Formica India has taken significant steps to address the challenges of industrial waste management and carbon emissions. In a recent interview with TheCSRUniverse, Mr. Ajay Khurana, Managing Director of Formica India, delves into the company's comprehensive approach to sustainability and its commitment to reducing environmental impact. He also discusses how Formica has standardized processes in place to minimise waste right from the source. Beyond waste management, Mr. Khurana also outlines Formica India’s ambitious roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. This includes replacing traditional thermal fuels with biomass briquettes to cut down on Scope 1 emissions and collaborating with third-party energy auditors to improve energy efficiency.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q. Industrial wastage is high in your industry. What kinds of initiatives is Formica taking to counter the waste? Could you elaborate on your recycling efforts?
A. In the industrial sector, waste management is a critical issue, and at Formica, we take this challenge very seriously. To counteract waste, we have implemented a series of initiatives focused on minimizing waste through standardized processes, effective change management, and innovative recycling strategies. We standardise our processes and raw materials to reduce variability and enhance efficiency. This approach helps us minimize wastage at the source. Moreover, we have established effective change management procedures to eliminate acute failures that could lead to unnecessary waste. Our recycling efforts are comprehensive and integrated into our operations. Finished goods that incur physical damage or are rejected due to quality issues are repurposed for sample preparation. This not only reduces waste but also provides valuable samples for our customers and partners.
Additionally, we recycle Work-In-Progress (WIP) waste, such as kraft paper and decorative laminates, by converting them into particle boards. These boards are then used as the base material for exporting wooden crates. Through this, we significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and contribute to a more sustainable production cycle.
Q. What kinds of strategies and technologies does Formica use to reduce your scope 1 and 2 emissions?
A. We are focused upon reducing our environmental footprint, and this includes a strong focus on reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions. One of our primary strategies has been replacing thermal fuel with biomass briquettes. Biomass briquettes are a more sustainable and eco-friendly fuel source, which helps us significantly lower our direct emissions (Scope 1).
For our Scope 2 emissions, which involve the indirect emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, we regularly look out for opportunities for energy savings. We are connecting with third-party energy auditors who conduct periodic reviews of our facilities. These audits help us identify outdated electronic components and recommend replacements with more energy-efficient and safer technologies.
Q. Scope 3 emissions constitute a large part of GHG emissions. Tracking it also tends to be more complicated as it requires you to analyze your supply chain activities. How are you addressing this issue at Formica?
A. Addressing Scope 3 emissions is indeed complex, but we are committed to tackling this challenge through strategic planning and careful monitoring of our supply chain activities. One key approach is ensuring that our resin batch preparation is meticulously synchronised with our production plans. This sync helps us avoid excess resin stock, which in turn reduces waste and potential emissions. As stated earlier, we also manage our WIP materials, such as treated kraft paper and decorative laminates, with great care. We keep the quantity of these materials at a minimum level and protect them with PVC covers to avoid direct exposure to environmental factors that could degrade them. This not only preserves the quality of our materials but also reduces the potential for waste and associated emissions.
Q. You have promised yourself a tall target of achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2030. Can you run us through the roadmap of your efforts in this direction?
A. Achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 is an ambitious goal, but it is one that we are deeply committed to at Formica. Our roadmap to carbon neutrality involves a multi-faceted approach that encompasses reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and investing in renewable energy. Firstly, we are focused upon continuously improving our manufacturing processes to reduce our carbon footprint. This includes the adoption of more energy-efficient technologies, the use of sustainable raw materials, and optimizing our supply chain to minimize emissions.
Secondly, we are increasing our functioning on renewable energy sources. We have started transitioning from traditional thermal fuels to biomass briquettes, which significantly reduce our Scope 1 emissions. We are implementing a robust waste management and recycling program. Through repurposing industrial waste into useful products, we not only reduce waste but also lower the emissions associated with waste disposal. Lastly, we are exploring carbon offset initiatives. This includes investing in reforestation projects and other environmental initiatives that can help us offset any remaining emissions. Thus, we are confident in our ability to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.
Q. What are the biggest challenges you are facing in your journey towards Carbon Neutrality? Do you hope to benefit in this regard from any policy changes/introduction on the part of the government?
A. Well, it surely comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles we face is the integration of new, sustainable technologies into our existing infrastructure. This often requires significant investment and a period of adaptation, both of which can be challenging to manage alongside ongoing production demands. Another challenge is the sourcing of renewable energy. While we are committed to transitioning to renewable energy sources, the availability and reliability of these sources can vary. Ensuring a consistent supply of renewable energy to meet our operational needs is an ongoing challenge.
We also face challenges in accurately tracking and reducing our Scope 3 emissions, which involve indirect emissions from our supply chain. This requires close collaboration with suppliers and partners, as well as robust monitoring and reporting systems. We are hopeful that government policy changes and incentives will support our efforts. Policies that promote renewable energy development, provide subsidies or tax incentives for sustainable practices, and enforce stricter emissions regulations can all help us in our journey towards carbon neutrality. We are particularly encouraged by recent government initiatives aimed at promoting green energy and reducing industrial emissions, and we look forward to further support as we continue on this path.
Q. Are there any specific areas you focus on in terms of your CSR activities? Do you collaborate with other organizations to support these goals?
A. There's a lot to it. We focus our CSR activities on key area such as environmental sustainability. In terms of environmental sustainability, we invest in projects that promote conservation and the sustainable use of resources. This includes supporting reforestation efforts, promoting biodiversity, and investing in clean energy projects. We believe that protecting the environment is not just a corporate responsibility but a moral one as well.
