Volvo
Group is committed to becoming a climate neutral company by 2040 and this
includes its supply chain and global suppliers from India. As a key milestone
in this journey, Volvo Group in India launched the first green castings that
will go into building its engines.
This
is a significant step as India is a key source for Volvo Group’s global casting
requirements. When fully adopted, the potential reduction in CO2 per year due
to green castings would amount to 0.86 million tons for Volvo and 210 million tons
for the industry. Commercial Production of these green castings will start from
this month.
The
green castings from India will include bearing caps and bearing housing for
select Volvo engines. This is the first step. However, just these two parts translate
to 8500 tons CO2 reduction for Volvo. When fully implemented, the impact of
this initiative would be much higher. Assuming the industry adopts this
approach, this could amount to 210 million tons of annual CO2 emission
reductions across global foundries. This is of special significance to India,
which has a significant share of the global casting demand.
The
castings being produced in India are certified by the Confederation of Indian
Industry – Green Products &Services Council. As per the definition, the
manufacturing of green casting involves the elimination of toxic chemicals and
elements, has zero carbon footprint, uses minimal resources, where products can
be recycled and reused, and comes with eco-friendly packaging.
These
green castings, which will be produced by Brakes India, utilise scrap, alloys,
and raw materials which are100% radioactive elements free. It involves
recycling of 100% metallic scrap generated by other industries to manufacture a
usable product. The plant will operate on 100% green power from solar and wind
energy. It will eliminate the use of diesel with electric ladle preheater, a
unique solution developed with AFECO India. This will also result in the
elimination of pig iron, which is produced in a blast furnace with coal. Volvo
has developed a unique technology that eliminates the pig iron usage by
deploying zirconium based inoculation, controlled chemistry, and a specific
charge ratio.
Kamal
Bali, President &Managing Director, Volvo Group in India, said, “At Volvo
Group, we are proud to be playing a vital role in shaping the future of the
transportation industry. India is a home base for the Group and we not only
‘Make in India’, but also design, process, sell and source from India to the
world.In line with our global sustainability targets and ambitions, our aim is
to create an environment that is safe and sustainable for future generations–
while being immersed in advanced technology that goes into making world-leading
commercial vehicles. Green Casting has the potential to kick-start a revolution
in the casting manufacturing process for a sustainable future.”
Present
at the launch of the Green Castings were Bali, Marc Delobelle, Head of
Fossil-free Materials Purchasing, Volvo Group, France, Girish DM, Head of India
Purchasing & Group Truck Purchasing, Volvo Group, India, Sriram Viji,
Managing Director, Brakes India along with Parasuraman Ramachandran, Founding
Chairman Green Products & Services Council, CII Godrej GBC and Devendra
Jain, President, Institute of Indian Foundrymen.