Garware is recognised for its sustainability track record

The multinational company was awarded in the recycling category for the conversion of waste material into fuel. 
 

Image credit: Garware

It has been working for more than a decade on sustainable solutions for the aquaculture industry, providing some 15,000 metric tons of HDPE nets, which translates into a reduction of 73.5 million kilograms of CO2 equivalent when compared with Nylon nets.

Garware Technical Fibres was recently honoured in India by the Economic Times Polymers Awards in the recycling category - for its work in the field of polymers - where it innovated in converting waste material into fuel that can be used in factory vehicles from this global provider of aquaculture nets and lines.

'We have been working on sustainable solutions for the aquaculture industry for more than a decade. We develop fishnets and lobe nets that have a lifespan of almost twice that of nylon nets, directly reducing the carbon footprint. We were one of the first companies to introduce network solutions based on high-density polyethylene ', emphasises Dr. Nikhil Gunari Associate Vice President R&D Garware Technical Fibres.

Sustainability in the aquaculture supplier industry
In the last ten years, Garware has pioneered HDPE solutions in the salmon aquaculture market and has provided more than 15,000 metric tons of HDPE net solutions to the aquaculture industry, resulting in a reduction of 73.5 million kilograms of CO2 equivalent when compared with Nylon nets.

Plastics Europe notes that the global warming potential (GWP - Kg CO2 equivalent) per kilo of nylon resin is 6.7 while that of HDPE resin is 1.8. HDPE is inert and a hydrophobic polymer, so it does not lose resistance in water; thus the networks of this polymer show a longer useful life that translates into a reduction in the carbon footprint.

It should be noted that to promote the greenhouse gas emissions reduction agenda, the Garware team did not stop at HDPE, it was also one of the first companies to launch the Green HDPE network in 2016 and introduced the first green polymer network in the aquaculture industry. The Green HDPE net is manufactured from bio-based HDPE derived from a renewable resource such as sugar cane. Thus, the green HDPE net results in an additional 70 percent reduction in the carbon footprint.

Last year the International Research Institute for Manufacturing had organised the India Green Manufacturing Challenge, which is a national program to recognise the sustainable factories of India. Manufacturing companies all over India participated in this challenge and Garware won the Silver Medal. The categories for evaluation included operations (energy, water consumption etc), products, input (raw material etc) and human (workforce health & safety etc).

Garware has planted more than 50,000 trees to further offset its carbon footprint. A large tree 'inhales' about 20 kg of CO2 per year. 'Planting trees is very important to help offset carbon and minimise the impact on climate change. Trees act as carbon sinks by capturing carbon dioxide. Garware has contributed and will continue to innovate towards sustainable aquaculture,' concludes Dr. Nikhil Gunari.

For more information visit the Garware website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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