A webinar was organized by “Just for Environment” organization on the topic “Environmental Issues in Sugar Industry- Way Forward” in which large number of delegates from Sri Lanka, Uganda, Yemen and Indonesia also participated.
Sugar Industry which is considered as grossly polluting industry is required to work on managing air & water pollution and also on solid waste management adopting best available technologies, said Mr. Herby Dikkumbura, Chief Executive Officer, Ceylon Sugar Industries, Sri Lanka in his inaugural address. In fact, sugar factories are required to work for converting the solid waste like filter cake for bio-gas production, boiler ash from sugar & distillery units for production of silica nano particles and potash rich fertilizer respectively. This, on the one hand while will help in mitigating the environmental issues, on the other hand, it would result in additional income, he said.
Prof. Narendra Mohan, Former Director, National Sugar Institute, Kanpur while presenting the Indian water availability scenario, informed that the country is on the brink of worst ever water crisis with about 60 crore people facing acute water shortage and about two lakhs people die every year due to contaminated water related issues. The crisis is likely to worsen as demand is projected to be twice the available supply by 2030. Since sugarcane contains about 70% water which comes out during processing, taking appropriate measures the same can be reutilized and Indian sugar factories alone can save about 300 lakh tonnes of water every year, he said.
Dr. Yashpal Singh, Advisor, Indian Sugar & Bioenergy Manufacturers Association discussed various ways and means to control environment impacts during sugarcane cultivation and then while processing. Increased application of nitrogen fertilizers has caused acidification of soil, contamination of ground water and surface water and enhanced green house effects, said Dr. Singh. Dr. S. V. Patil, Former Head & Advisor (Alcohol Technology), Vasantdada Sugar Insitute, Pune suggested technologies for enhancing recovery of alcohol with lesser use of fresh water during processing.
Mr. B. K. Singhal, Chief Executive Officer, M/s UY Trienviro Pvt. Ltd. presented details of degasser & nitrification based technology for treatment of sugar factory waste waters and Membrane Bio-reactor (MBR) based technology for distillery condensates developed by them. By purifying the waste waters through these technologies, factories can reuse the water during processing and thus may ensure operation of the plant with “Zero Fresh Water Consumption”, he said.
Ms. Anushka Kanodia conducted the webinar and extended vote of thanks.
