TKM Wins CII Excellence in Water Management Award in New Delhi

Toyota Kirloskar Motor was recently recognized for excellence in water management by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) at the third Water Summit held at New Delhi. Toyota received the national-level award in “within the fence” category for implementing innovative and sustainable techniques to reduce water consumption in all the manufacturing operations, products & supply chain activities inside the plant located in Bidadi near Bangalore.

As a good corporate citizen, Toyota is committed towards protecting the environment and ensuring that its automobile manufacturing operations are safe for all including its employees, the community and the environment. This is achieved by identifying risks and challenges at every step of operations and continuously improving practices to reduce footprint, increase operational efficiency with lowest energy usage guided by policies, long term action plans and periodic reviews to achieve environmental sustainability.

The company’s commitment is supported by some of its best practices with the premises:

Waste Water Treatment Plant: TKM has installed water recycling system which consists of common effluent treatment facility. Treatment of waste water for production process is done by recycling using a membrane bio-reactor and a reverse osmosis unit, and about 65% wastewater is recycled back to process. An advanced in-house laboratory has been set-up with qualified analysts for regular monitoring of quality and ensure optimum performance of the treatment plant. This ensures that there is Zero discharge outside plant, thus zero contamination of water bodies and the usage for freshwater only for domestic purpose [Zero freshwater footprint at manufacturing by subjecting the effluent in Wastewater Treatment Plant].

Rain Water Harvesting (RWH): In order to reduce the consumption of fresh water for production houses a rainwater harvesting pond with a capacity of 25,000 cubic meters that meets their water requirements for 9-10 months. The total surface run-off and roof top water is collected in harvesting tanks and further processed for reuse in the production. Another pond with 25000 KL capacity is being constructed within the plant premises. Additionally, TKM is undertaking up-gradation of existing Rainwater Harvesting Pond storage capacity from 25,000 cubic meters to 35,000 cubic meters to use rainwater as our primary source at our second manufacturing plant. In fact, this RWH project at TKM will soon lead to surplus water generation which could be diverted to the other industries manufacturing use located in & around the Toyota plant.

Bio-sludge is an outcome of sewage treatment process. The sludge is reprocessed using vermicomposting techniques thereby aiming at zero hazardous waste to landfill. The segregation of wastes and it’s disposal is achieved through authorized vendors situated within Karnataka. Solar sludge drying facility enables to reduce the moisture in sludge by 60%, thereby minimizing the volume of sludge and overall reduction in the landfilling cost. Vermicomposting for utilization of bio-degradable waste (Non-hazardous) in an eco-friendly manner and usage of vermin-manure for our gardening purpose are in practice. Also, these vermi-manure caters to the sapling plantation undertaken by Bidadi Industrial Association.

The carmaker have also executed various practices to reduce domestic water foot print which is already at a very minimal usage level. (Domestic water footprint is about 40.5 LPCD in the last 4 years).

Expressing his delight in receiving the prestigious award, Raju B. Ketkale, Senior Vice President - Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “As a responsible corporate, we at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, have been constantly working towards the development of people, communities, and the green earth at large.  In automobile manufacturing, water is used in painting and other processes. Therefore, even a small reduction of its impact on the water environment is vital. Various water usage reduction initiatives that we have undertaken inside the plant such as enhancing water recycling systems, increased use of rain water and continuously improving processes to optimize water usage has resulted in minimum industrial water footprint, and today we are proud to say that we use zero fresh water in production. Such zero usage of freshwater for manufacturing at Toyota, caters to the social needs of the community covering more than 15,000 beneficiaries towards fulfilling their domestic water needs

Further, we at Toyota, are committed in our endeavors to reduce water consumption through simple and effective measures. Going forward aim to achieve more advanced improvements with newer water reduction techniques, recycling & rain water harvesting continuously to achieve water surplus. Fresh water will be used only for drinking purpose.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to CII for acknowledging our efforts in conserving water and motivating us further to contribute in this front. Taking this opportunity, our request to everyone to start inculcating culture of using each droplet of water judiciously and serve as an example to each other, he added.”

The national level award constituted by CII Triveni Institute, distinguished as the highest level of professional body managing water was conferred to Toyota after shortlisting from over 70 organizations across automobile & auxiliaries, paper, cement, chemical, power plant, steel, food and beverages industries. In its 11^th edition, CII – National Awards for Excellence in Water Management’s objective is to reward outstanding innovation, promising water conservation and management practices undertaken by Indian industries from varied sectors. This Water Summit is a platform for industries to come together to learn and share best practices to conserve water.