At Jubilant, we realise that we all share the same planet and we ensure to use naturally available resources efficiently, responsibly, safely and undertake conservation and preservation measures to minimize the impact of our operations on the environment, employees and surrounding communities. We are continuously improving production processes in order to conserve resources, reduce hazardous materials, use alternate raw materials, recycle waste & wastewater streams, and reduce specific energy as well as utilize waste as a resource for other industry, wherever possible.

This is achieved with identification of environmental issues involved in various activities of the company and their impact on the environment. Environmental Management has been integrated in the business and capital expenditure investment in the company are approved only after reviewing from Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) aspects by the Chief of EHS & Sustainability.

During the operational phase, the Environment & Safety management is established as a line function and the respective Unit heads are responsible for meeting all Environmental & Safety requirements at various locations. Broadly speaking, environment management in the company encompasses the following:-

Water

The water requirements at Jubilant are met from surface & subsurface sources. The water is first treated and then used in different processes, utilities and for domestic purposes in the plant.

The company has implemented rain water harvesting in order to recharge the ground water. To conserve water, recycling of condensate from the process is practiced. The company continuously strives to reduce its water consumption and modify processes through R&D efforts.

Effluent Treatment and Management

Adequate effluent management systems and equipment are in place at all the manufacturing locations. The effluents generated are divided into following categories and treated accordingly;

• Bio degradable – these effluents are treated in primary & secondary treatment, which include two stage activated sludge treatment and Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants.
  
• Non Bio degradable – the non-biodegradable effluents are concentrated in evaporators and organic streams are incinerated while the inorganic streams are spray dried.
  
• Utility effluents – These are generally given physico chemical treatment followed by RO, if required.
  
• Sewage – there are packaged type and conventional treatment system based on biological treatment. The treated sewage is used for horticulture.

At some locations, the effluent after treatment is sent to common effluent treatment plant for final disposal as per the regulatory requirements.

The Spent wash from distillery is treated through anaerobic microbial process and Biogas is recovered and reused as fuel in the plant. This helps in reducing the precious fossil fuels. The bio-methanated effluent is treated in Reverse Osmosis plant and reject is treated with press mud to convert it into organic fertiliser, commonly known as Bio-compost, which is a Green fertiliser, an example of Cradle to Cradle. It ensures Zero Discharge from Distillery as per Charter on Corporate Responsibility for Environment Protection (CREP). Jubilant has pioneered in adopting the State-of-the-art technology such as Multi Effect Evaporation and Incineration in Slop Boiler for spent wash treatment at Gajraula.

Air Emission & Control Measures

Air emission sources at Jubilant are mainly flue gas and process emissions. The flue gas emissions mainly from Boilers, Furnaces and DG sets, etc. are provided with the adequate height of stack for effective dispersion. For control of particulate emissions multi cyclones, bag filters & high efficiency Electro Static Precipitators (ESPs) are provided to meet the stipulated standards.

The process emissions are controlled with the approach of ‘Reduce, Recover and Treat’. Continual process improvement with help of in-house R & D, benefits to improve the process efficiencies in reducing air emission. Recovery is carried out through use of condensers, chillers etc. The residual and left over emissions are treated by catalytic incineration and thermal oxidation. Used solvents are recovered in Solvent Recovery plant for reuse. During the process of Thermal and Catalytic Oxidation plants, steam is recovered as by-product.

The condensing systems are installed in large storage tanks which have potential for higher Volatile Organic Compound emissions. For control of Fugitive emission, efforts are made to reduce VOCs, which may cause odour by upgradation of equipment, regular auditing and monitoring.  CO2 from the Distillery fermentor is captured at source and purified to food grade and supplied to other industries. Regular monitoring of gaseous emission is carried out to ensure the regulatory compliance.

Waste Management

Jubilant is continuously working towards Waste Minimization through systematically "reducing waste at source". The various measures include

1. Prevention and reduction of waste generated
   
2. Efficient use of raw materials and packaging materials
   
3. Encouraging re-use, recycling and recovery.

Molasses, the waste of sugar industry is used for manufacturing of Ethyl Alcohol, a key raw material to produce value added chemicals. Corn cob, a waste material from corn industry is used for the manufacture of animal feed. Press mud another waste from Sugar industry is utilized during the distillery effluent treatment to manufacture Bio-compost, eco-friendly organic manure. The organic wastes with higher calorific value are sent to Cement industry for co-processing. This reduces CO2 emission not only in Cement industry but also at Company’s end due to avoidance of its incineration. The fly ash is also utilized by Cement & brick manufacturing industry. These are few of the examples of Wealth from Waste.

The unutilized hazardous wastes are incinerated. The Incinerators as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines are installed & operated at major plants. The locations not having Incinerator, have obtained the membership of authorized Common Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDF).


The company has proactively undertaken the initiative against the deadline of January 2012 for the disposal of e-waste to authorized agencies and recyclers. The first lot of the e- waste was disposed during 2009-10.

Biodiversity

The manufacturing facilities are not located in biodiversity rich or any protected areas. Due to better environmental management, aesthetic environment around the manufacturing facilities was observed to be conducive as a natural habitat for many birds. It is a known fact that health of any eco system can be assessed based on the bird’s population. An Avifauna study around the Gajraula & Nira plants was carried out with the help of experts from World Wide Life for Nature (WWF-India), New Delhi. More than 55 species of birds sighted and majority of these were water birds and 8 of these were migratory birds.

Environmental Clearances

Environmental Clearances for new project/ expansion as per the EIA notification 2006 and amendment 2009 were accorded by Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), New Delhi. Recent projects approved by MoEF/ State Environment Impact Assessment Authority are;

• Special Economic Zone development at Vilayat Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation, Bharuch, Gujarat from MoEF regarding the development of Special Economic Zone for Chemical sector.
• Jubilant unit at Ambernath Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, Thane, Maharashtra by SEIAA, Maharashtra regarding Chemical expansion.
• Jubilant unit at Nira, Pune, Maharashtra by MoEF regarding Distillery & Chemical expansion as well as Captive Power Plant.

The compliance status for the conditions specified is regularly submitted to the concerned authorities.