Committed to Environment Protection

ACC is among the first Indian companies to include commitment to environmental protection as one of its corporate objectives. Long before pollution control norms and regulatory laws came into existence, ACC inducted the use of sophisticated high efficiency pollution control equipment for cement kilns, raw mills, coal mills, power plants and coolers. That was in 1966. Today each ACC factory has high efficiency state-of-the art pollution control equipment and devices. Each of our manufacturing units has a separate Environment Section manned by a qualified environmental engineer and supporting staff. Our plants, mines and townships demonstrate the company's successful endeavours in 'greening' activities such as afforestation, tree planting, horticulture, vegetable and cultivation apart from basic landscaping designed to enrich and beautify the environment. Cleaner mining techniques have helped safeguard and conserve mineral resources. In addition, we have taken other positive measures such as top-soil conservation, efficient water management systems and the treatment of wastes, sewage and effluents. Some of our plants have become near self-reliant in their water requirements. ACC has achieved spectacular results in the utilization of two hazardous and pollutant industrial wastes - namely slag from steel plants and fly-ash from thermal power stations - to make blended cements that help conserve limestone resources. Over the years, ACC has won several prizes and certificates of merit for environmental measures undertaken at its various plants and mines. In particular for programs involving 'greening,' afforestation, rehabilitation of mines, noise abatement and other visible measures such as tree plantation and water management.

Afforestation and Greening The Environment

Tree plantation is a regular and committed activity at ACC. Vacant land in plant, mines and colony at each factory is used to develop greenery of various species. Some ACC plants (viz. Gagal, Jamul, Kymore and Chaibasa) have developed as much as 40 per cent area for green belts as compared to the statutory requirement of 30%. Every cement plant has its own success story of tree plantation, greening activities, horticulture, flower and fruit cultivation and water conservation. Tree plantation and green belt development programmes have been extended to cover areas in the vicinity of our plants for the benefit of the local community.

Rocky areas in mines have been rendered suitable for plantation by over-spreading topsoil obtained from mining activity. Afforestation programmes have helped transform the once barren and dry ambience into lush greenery. Each One-Plant One has been an inspiring message practised by many of our employees. The total plantation undertaken across ACC is more than 3.3 million numbers of trees , with an average survival rate of 85% and spread over an area of 1000 acres in mines, factories and residential townships.

Water Conservation

Water conservation is a noteworthy contribution in a water scarce country like ours. ACC cement units maintain a norm of Zero Water Discharge. All the water used in plants for industrial cooling is recycled through cooling towers, water ponds and tanks. ACC cement plants have converted old abandoned mines into huge reservoirs by collecting rainwater from catchments around mines. Water from these reservoirs is treated to make it potable. As a result of these initiatives, we have several examples of outstanding achievements in water harvesting and in the creation of reservoirs in abandoned mines and quarries. Some of our Works have become near self-reliant in respect of their water requirements for industrial and domestic consumption.

Transforming And Managing Wastes

ACC has achieved spectacular results in the utilization of two hazardous and pollutant industrial wastes - namely slag from steel plants and fly-ash from thermal power stations - to make blended cements that offer unique advantages to concrete. ACC also pioneered the use waste sludge from the fertiliser industry to make cement. The company is actively engaged in the promotion of alternate fuels and raw materials and in co-processing waste materials through the effective use of cement kilns as co-processing units. These include agro-wastes like rice-husk and other husks, bagasse, used tyres, domestic and hospital wastes. ACC takes pride in extending its waste management services to help minimize the discharge of wastes.

 

Awards & Accolades  National Award for outstanding performance in promoting rural and agricultural development – by ASSOCHAM Sword of Honour - by British Safety Council, United Kingdom for excellence in safety performance. Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award --- by The Ministry of Environment and Forests for "extraordinary work" carried out in the area of afforestation. FICCI Award --- for innovative measures for control of pollution, waste management & conservation of mineral resources in mines and plant. Subh Karan Sarawagi Environment Award - by The Federation of Indian Mineral Industries for environment protection measures. Drona Trophy - By Indian Bureau Of Mines for extra ordinary efforts in protection of Environment and mineral conservation in the large mechanized mines sector. Indo German Greentech Environment Excellence Award Golden Peacock Environment Management Special Award - for outstanding efforts in Environment Management in the large manufacturing sector. Indira Gandhi Memorial National Award - for excellent performance in prevention of pollution and ecological development Excellence in Management of Health, Safety and Environment : Certificate of Merit by Indian Chemical Manufacturers Association Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar trophy for outstanding performance in safety and mine working Good Corporate Citizen Award - by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jamnalal Bajaj Uchit Vyavahar Puraskar - Certificate of Merit by Council for Fair Business Practices Greentech Safety Gold and Silver Awards - for outstanding performance in Safety management systems by Greentech Foundation FIMI National Award - for valuable contribution in Mining activities from the Federation of Indian Mineral Industry under the Ministry of Coal. Rajya Sthariya Paryavaran Puraskar - for outstanding work in Environmental Protection and Environment Performance by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution. Control Board. National Award for Fly Ash Utilisation - by Ministry of Power, Ministry of Environment & Forests and Dept of Science & Technology, Govt of India - for manufacture of Portland Pozzolana Cement. Good Corporate Citizen Award - by Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry for working towards an environmentally sustainable industry while pursuing the objective of creation of a better society.