In the vast agricultural heartlands of India, a substantial shift is occurring in how we perceive the relationship between industry and the earth. For one of the country’s most foundational and forward-thinking leaders in the sugar and industrial sectors, the 2024-25 financial year marked a pivotal shift from building a sustainable foundation to delivering tangible, high-impact environmental outcomes. By moving beyond traditional manufacturing and embracing an integrated agro-energy model, the organization has successfully started converting renewable agricultural inputs into a suite of high-value, low-carbon products.
In the past year alone, the company deployed approximately ₹55 crore towards advanced energy conservation equipment. This investment has directly translated into 14% drop in Scope 1 emissions, now standing at 1,20,492 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent, while Scope 2 emissions saw an even deeper decline of 21%, bringing the overall emission intensity down to 4.01 Metric Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent per million INR of turnover.
The adoption of Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) technology across its distilleries has achieved a 20% saving in steam usage. In regions where water security is vital, by maximizing condensate recovery and recycling, the amount of groundwater needed to produce ethanol has been reduced by more than 90%. Today, the entire manufacturing plant maintains 100% Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) status, ensuring that no industrial effluent enters the local ecosystem.
The dedication to a circular economy is further evidenced in how industrial byproducts are managed. Every gram of press mud, exceeding 2,07,000 metric tonnes, is converted into organic manure for local farmers, while over 2,06,000 metric tonnes of distillery spent wash serves as renewable fuel for incineration boilers. Even fly ash from the power units is repurposed for sustainable brick manufacturing, ensuring that ‘waste’ is a concept of the past.
This conglomerate’s investment strategy is a model of self-reliance and national support. By leveraging bagasse-driven cogeneration, the company meets 100% of its own power requirements through renewable means. This impact radiates outward, as firm exported 228 million units of green electricity to the national grid in the financial year 2024-25. Furthermore, the production of 182 million litres of ethanol plays a crucial role in supporting the national mandate for fuel blending, directly aiding in the reduction of vehicular emissions across the country.
Beyond the industrial gates, there is a deep-seated commitment to land restoration and biodiversity. The organization has scaled its afforestation projects significantly, planting over 43,000 trees this year alone. By utilizing the Miyawaki method to create dense, native green belts, the company is creating lasting carbon sinks. The effort is complemented by the transition of 1,20,000 hectares of sugarcane command area to sustainable cultivation practices, ensuring long-term soil health.
With a flawless record of environmental compliance and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certifications, the organization is demonstrating that a ‘Planet-First’ approach is the most effective way to secure the future of Indian agriculture. By focusing on renewal and responsibility, it is ensuring that its operations contribute as much to the environment as they do to the economy.
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