Perundurai Textile Processors Association is keen to explore scope for use of super absorbents application advocated by technical expertise of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to treat effluent discharged in a cost effective way by tanning and textile units in SIPCOT Industrial Estate. This super absorbent application could provide a lasting solution.

The need of the hour is technological intervention with less capital and operating costs, said Association Secretary Suresh Manoharan.

Presently, tanning and textile industries have been facing difficulty in complying with ZLD (Zero Liquid Discharge) norms specified by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.

Earlier this year, all the eight tanning units in the complex had to stop operations due to inadequacy of evaporator in the ZLD system.

In the recent past, the TNPCB made it mandatory for the industries to replace their existing solar evaporators with more expensive elevated solar evaporator pans.

Over the years, 20 out of 50 dyeing units had to close down due to high operating costs. Many among the remaining units are also struggling to sustain their operations.

According to J. Daniel Chellappa, Senior Scientist, Technical Coordination Wing, Senior Scientist, BARC, with the latest technology to be made available under BARC’s social initiative program, the viability of the industries could be ensured alongside environmental safeguard.

Cost-effective intervention was possible at the level of individual industries as well as on a cluster basis.

The cost incurred on existing technologies was a main reason for the industries losing out in a competitive scenario. For instance, elevated solar evaporator pans were not only expensive, but also cannot be relied upon during rainy season.