Environment Friendly
ITC pioneers ECF technology in India
Elemental Chlorine, conventionally used in the pulp and paper industries worldwide, has its harmful effects on the environment, particularly aquatic environment. The chlorine residue from the papermaking process generates toxic pollutants like dioxin and other organochlorides. When released into water these toxic pollutants do not break down get into the food chain of the animals and accumulates in their fat cells. Dioxin and other pollutants enter the human body through fish and other aquatic life forms.
In view of the harmful effects of chlorine, over the years environmentally sensitive developed economies have been taking major initiative to minimize the use of chlorine as a bleaching agent in the production of pulp and paper. The Indian paper industry will have to replace the chlorine-based process of pulp manufacturing with Elementary Chlorine Free Technology (ECFT) to ensure hazards-free environment as per norms as laid down in the Kyoto Protocol of the World Trade Organization. Government organizations around the world recognize ECF's proven pollution prevention record and its contribution to sustainable ecosystem recovery.
ECF bleaching — based on chlorine dioxide — is the superior technology choice for sustainable pulp and paper manufacturing. Papermakers and paper users alike desire ECF's superior product quality, resource conservation attributes and compatibility with sustainable Minimum Impact Manufacturing. In their pursuit of international competitiveness Paperboards and speciality papers division of ITC has selected Elemental Chlorine Free technology while modernizing its front line. ITC is the first paper/board mill in India to adopt this technology. The facility was commissioned in Sep’2002, at a cost of USD 50m and is ahead of government regulators and norms.
Pulping and bleaching strategies incorporating ECF produces strong fibers, minimizing the reinforcing fiber requirements for many paper grades, such as lightweight-coated (LWC). It has also been recognized that in combination with enhanced fiber strength, ECF manufacturing has a higher yield, using the least amount of wood compared with other pulping and bleaching techniques. Therefore to remain cost effective, large volume converters and paper makers choose higher strength ECF pulp only. Besides, ECF is compatible with closed loop strategies for minimizing wastewater from bleaching, which helps in protecting the water system.
The global discussion on the use of ECF bleaching to reduce environmental pollution seems to have passed largely unnoticed in India. However, ITC has taken the initiative to introduce ECF technology in India. In 2003, the company introduced a ‘Cleaner Technology Program’ under which it implemented an ECF bleaching system for manufacture of pulp, paper and paperboards at its plant in Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh, at a cost of around Rs 2.2 bn. In India ITC is the only company manufacturing chlorine-free pulp, paper and paperboards.
To improve the domestic availability of ECF paper, there is a need for investment in technology up gradation from the pulp and paper manufacturers. The Indian pulp and paper industry even today works with a technology that is way below international standards, which also results in inefficient resource utilization and ultimately low environmental performance.
However, though investing in elemental chlorine free plant is socially and ecologically desirable, economically it may not be so. Only large-scale manufacturers with strong financial base would have the ability to incur such a high cost required for converting into ECF technology. Therefore, it is realized that the Government would also have to take initiatives towards introducing a set of measures facilitating this technology up gradation.
