– Two sustainability technologies developed by HZL’s research and development centre – ZnTech grated US Patent
Udaipur, 14 April, 2021: In a constant pursuit of innovating for a sustainable future, Hindustan Zinc has achieved a big milestone, being granted US patents for two of their sustainability technologies. The two patents – US10844551B2 for manufacturing Paver Blocks from process waste; and US10919924B2 for the method of production of Potassium Antimony Tartrate (PAT) by utilizing Antimony bearing residues – were developed in-house by HZL’s state-of-the-art research and development centre – ZnTech (formerly known as Central Research and Development Laboratory).
Commitment towards Environment and Sustainability is one of the core principles that drive business operations at Hindustan Zinc. The company proactively works towards ensuring sustainable practices are an integral part of operations. Both these technologies are aimed to create value from waste that can be utilised within HZL’s operations and support local entrepreneurs and communities.
Commenting on this, Mr. Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc said, ”Our outlook towards sustainability is not limited to just reducing our environmental footprint, but at the same time creating more value from our supply chain. Coupled with our approach of innovative thinking and best-in-class technologies, this culture propels us to be recognised as an industry benchmark. These US patents exemplify how sustainability, innovation and technology seamlessly come together at Hindustan Zinc to create to create smart and sustainable mines of the future.”
Fostering a culture of high performance and innovative thinking, employees of Hindustan Zinc always strive to create breakthrough solutions. The ZnTech team consisting of – Ms Sheeba Mashruwala, Mr Kiran Rokkam, Mr Ashish Kumar, Dr KD Sharma, Mr Sundar Sombhatla, and Mr Akhilesh Shukla played a pivotal role in developing and patenting these breakthrough solutions.
The method to produce PAT also has a European Patent (EP3192882) to its name. PAT is consumed by Zinc hydro smelters for purification and to produce Zinc Metal. This patented process has been successfully running at HZL since 2016. The technology for manufacturing paver blocks on the other hand, produces greener products that have a lower cost of production than conventional method while also conserving natural resources. This technology has produced 80,000 paver blocks that are laid at different HZL units as a test case. Two paver block machines are also setup in association with Self Help Groups (SHGs) to or support the community.
About Hindustan Zinc Limited
Hindustan Zinc Limited (BSE: 500188 and NSE: HINDZINC), a Vedanta Group company, is the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and the third-largest silver producer. The company supplies to more than 40 countries and holds a market share of about 75% of the primary zinc market in India. Hindustan Zinc has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category for the second consecutive year by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024, reflecting its operational excellence, innovation, and leading ESG practices. The company also launched EcoZen, Asia’s first low carbon ‘green’ zinc brand. Produced using renewable energy, EcoZen has a carbon footprint of less than 1 tonne of carbon equivalent per tonne of zinc produced, about 75% lower than the global average. Hindustan Zinc is also a certified 2.41 times Water-Positive company and is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. Transforming the lives of 1.9 million people through its focused social welfare initiatives, Hindustan Zinc is among the Top 10 CSR companies in India. As an energy transition metals company, Hindustan Zinc is pivotal in providing critical metals essential for a sustainable future.
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