Chemplast Sanmar is a pioneer in adopting the concept of  Zero Liquid Discharge, amongst the Chemical companies in India, as early as in the year 2009.

The company installed Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) facilities at its Mettur plant at an initial investment of Rs.27 crore. In Chemplast Cuddalore Vinyls, Cuddalore and Chemplast Sanmar, Karaikal, ZLD has been the norm, right from the inception.

In September 2009, Chemplast became the first chemical manufacturer to achieve 100% ZLD in all its plants.

The Sanmar Group plays a responsible role in water conservation, with none of its coastal plants drawing any water from the ground. These plants resort entirely to converting seawater by means of contemporary desalination technology. In Cuddalore, an aquifer runs just three metres below the surface and the entire water requirements are met by a sea water desalination plant set up at an investment of Rs. 20 crore.

The ZLD initiative and its water policies won two awards for Chemplast at the 7th National Award for Excellence in Water Management organised by the CII in December 2010.  “We have always believed in investing in the best available technology at any point of time. Technology is particularly important for environment management,” said N Sankar, past Chairman of The Sanmar Group. “With the unique situation of working with plants producing multiple products, such as in Mettur, we needed to look at new and innovative methods to ensure that we do not discharge a single drop of treated effluent from our plants. These awards are a recognition of team work but most of all an appreciation of our social commitment.”