Tuticorin Alkali Chemical and Fertilizers Ltd. (TFL), a group company of AM International, was recently awarded the Unilever Home Care Clean Future Award 2024 for “Taking bold steps towards competitive greenhouse gas reduction in Soda Ash.”
Ashwin Muthiah, Chairman, was invited by Unilever to receive the award in Orlando, USA.
Unilever’s Clean Future initiative aims to recognize “unmissably superior products that are sustainable and of great value.” We are proud that the green soda ash manufactured in our plant aligns with both our ESG-driven manufacturing goals and a strategy to reduce carbon emissions in manufacturing.
TFL was lauded for manufacturing a sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective solution. The initiative of producing the world’s first green soda ash utilizing green ammonia was also recognized asa leap forward to fulfill AMIH’s sustainability goals.
TFL is the most prominent producer of soda ash in South India. Our ground-breaking innovation of green soda ash also makes us the world’s first company to manufacture soda ash with near-zero carbon emissions.
Our ground-breaking innovation of green soda ash also makes us the world’s first company to manufacture soda ash with near-zero carbon emissions.
About TFL’s Green Soda Ash
TFL started commercial production of green soda ash at its Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu plant. Mr. Muthiah commended the team’s efforts and said, “It is a matter of great pride to achieve this carbon-neutral milestone. The innovation aligns with our ESG vision of producing greener product solutions for our customers with the larger goal of contributing to a cleaner environment.”
The company has established this project by leveraging cutting-edge carbon-capture technology to establish carbon neutrality in manufacturing soda ash. It is the first company in the world to manufacture carbon-neutral soda ash.
Understanding the Process
To produce green soda ash, TFL set up a CO2 Recovery Plant to capture carbon from coal used as fuel in its boiler for steam production. Instead of releasing the carbon into the atmosphere, the plant captures it effectively. The carbon is then converted into biomass fuel to eliminate fossil fuel usage, thus achieving carbon neutrality in manufacturing.
Further, TFL uses green ammonium, imported from Egypt, to produce its near-zero soda ash. Incidentally, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, Tamil Nadu, successfully handled 3×20 ISO Green Ammonia Containers weighing 37.4 tons of Green Ammonia from Damietta Port, Egypt, for TFL. It was for the first time that the port imported green ammonia.
“It is a matter of great pride to achieve this carbon-neutral milestone. The innovation aligns with our ESG vision of producing greener product solutions for our customers with the larger goal of contributing to a cleaner environment.”
– Mr. Ashwin Muthiah
Fostering a Greener Planet
Soda ash, also known as sodium carbonate, is a fundamental ingredient in numerous industries, from glass production to detergent manufacturing and beyond.
Traditionally sourced from natural deposits or processed through energy-intensive methods like the Solvay process, soda ash manufacturing has historically posed challenges in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Its significance lies not only in its versatility but also in the environmental impact of its manufacture. The sustainable production of soda ash holds the key to minimizing ecological footprints and fostering a greener future.
By developing a basic manufacturing necessity such as soda ash with negligible emissions, TFL is actively shaping the creation of a more environmentally conscious world.
