Right technology can improve treatment performance and water consumption in Paper Mills

Right technology can improve treatment performance and water consumption in Paper Mills

05 May 2020 | Webinar

Water is an important resource required in large quantities by the Pulp and Paper sector. With regions experiencing high variability in water availability and water stress, pulp and paper sector has been adopting a slew of water conservation measures both inside and outside their premises.

In last 5 – 7 years, quite a few pulp and paper mills have reduced their specific water consumption by 40 - 50 percent, and wastewater generation by 50 – 60 percent. There however remains an urgent need to both, scale-up good practices across mills, as well as continue to innovate through data driven analytics promoting technology identification, customization and implementation.

Greater efforts for fiber recovery and pulp recycling would be required in the future with clear cut goals of achieving higher resource efficiencies and environmental sustainability, particularly in relation to water.

Cognizant of the rising challenges, CII Water Institute has been partnering with the pulp and paper industry over the years, to work together on improving water usage, setting new baselines and benchmarks that are both nationally as well as globally realizable. To reinvigorate debate, CII organized a Webinar on “Water Conservation Initiative in Pulp & Paper Industry”, on May 5, 2020. The Forum, first in the series, aimed at enhancing awareness amongst industry members on available technological solutions, strategies for improved water use efficiency in the sector. The discussions provided insights on existing good practices, new technologies, for managing the resource effectively, while also enhancing competitiveness.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr Sanjay Singh President (Top on Middle Image Column), IPPTA & Divisional Chief Executive, ITC PSPD, stressed on the need for adopting water management practices for securing operations. He stated that while water usage across Pulp and Paper mills in India has seen a marked improvement over the years, it is important to continuously evolve and adopt measures that promote judicious resource usage.

According to him, industry must initiate measures for reducing water consumption and utilizing wastewater generated. Quoting the example from ITC he mentioned that measures are being taken such as installing a bleach plant which will reduce freshwater consumption by 30% and reduce load on ETP. Mr Singh reiterated that while improved water management translated into higher costs, it remained a necessity for ensuring sustainability and competitive edge in the sector.

The Webinar also saw participation of Mr Robert Jan Smeets (Top on Right Image Column), Global Market Segment Coordinator Water for Industry, Royal Haskoning DHV, who highlighted the pivotal role of technology in improving resource efficiency and ensuring sustainability in the sector. Mr. Smeets provided the details of two wastewater treatment patented technologies–Nerada and Kaumera for wastewater treatment. According to the speaker choosing the right technology can improve treatment performance and compliance; help reduce water consumption; and enhance sustainability. Based on the discussions, it was felt that the above technologies need to be piloted in the Indian context to understand the benefits and limitations.

Mr Y Chandra Sekhar (Bottom at Middle Image Column), Head of Projects, ITC Limited- PSPD made a strong plea to the industry to undertake water management activities both “within the fence” and “beyond the fence”. He shared the rich experience of ITC Bhadrachalam plant in managing the scarce water resources by putting in place a robust monitoring system, embracing an inclusive employee participation.

Mr Chandra Sekhar highlighted various measures which led to reduction in water consumption in the facility.

 Addressing the participants,Mr Babu Khan (Bottom at Right Image Column), CEO, CII -Triveni Water Institute stressed on the importance of holistic water management for industry in order to sustain their business operation. He underlined the challenges encountered by about three-fourth, of Pulp & Paper mills that are in geographical areas experiencing high variability in water availability. Mr Khan informed that CII will organize a series of webinars on “Water Management in the Pulp & Paper Industry”, deep diving on areas of interest in the sector. He added, that the lessons emanating from each webinar would finally be collated and taken up at a larger annual event of CII on Water Management in the Pulp and Paper sector, likely to be scheduled in the last quarter of the year.

The session saw rich discussion amongst the participants, in the Question and Answer session moderated by Dr Kapil Narula, Executive Director, CII-Triveni Water Institute, who steered the debate and summarized the proceedings

Web Title: Right technology can improve treatment performance and water consumption in Paper Mills