Leading global firms leverage technology to facilitate sustainable consumption of valuable resources

The use of technology has become increasingly important in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices.

The implementation of technology for sustainability varies across industries and companies. Taking note of the same, Swiss-based Sulzer Chemtech took the initiative of leveraging technology to facilitate sustainable consumption of valuable resources while promoting circularity. Sulzer Chemtech is a division of Sulzer, an industrial engineering and manufacturing firm headquartered in Winterthur (Switzerland). The company also has an Indian division in the name of Sulzer India Pvt Ltd.

The company is offering licensed technology, BioFlux TM, to produce bio-fuels by hydro-treating vegetable oils or used cooking oil. Sulzer Chemtech’s state-of-the-art solutions for pyrolysis of mixed plastic waste, purification of intermediates and products of advanced and chemical recycling processes, enabling the circularity of currently non-recyclable plastics. They are also offering cutting edge technology for biopolymer PLA which is a bio-based, bio-compostable and 100 per cent recyclable biopolymer produced from renewable feedstock like sugar beet, sugar cane, wheat, or corn. 

The company is working on technology and equipment for process intensification, which reduces energy consumption for purification processes in chemical and refining industries and delivering distinct high-purity streams. These technologies require significantly less energy, plant space, and capital investment than conventional solutions, the company said in a recently held customer engagement event in Pune to share critical updates and strategies.

Their team also talked about the highly sustainable CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storing) approach at the event. CCUS solutions are designed to capture carbon emissions that cannot be eliminated in the industrial processes. Absorbing carbon from a mixture released into the atmosphere reduces an industrial unit’s carbon footprint. Further, this carbon is stored and utilized in creating multiple useful resources curbing further exploitation of resources. Dr. Uwe Boltersdorf, Division President of Sulzer Chemtech said, “It is a heavy industry’s natural tendency to consume more energy. As responsible organizations, it is our duty to ensure a better future. India can optimize its sustainability and circularity through political measures. The law- making bodies should devise regulations to encourage industries to implement tech-savvy instruments that reduce their carbon footprints and ensure sustainable resource consumption. Once the regulations are in place, we’ll do our best to help Indian industries implement the right technologies.”

Technology's role in facilitating sustainability will continue to evolve and expand as companies are at the forefront of green innovation, developing and producing environmentally friendly technologies.