Coimbatore : To ensure environmental compliance, it was decided to observe self-discipline and third party monitoring in Perundurai SIPCOT, where a large number of textile processing units are functioning.

The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Southern India Mills Association (SIMA) and Perundurai SIPCOT Textile Processors Association two days ago to deliberate on further proactive measures to be taken
to ensure compliance and protect the environment.

After a detailed deliberation, it was unanimously decided to enforce self-discipline to ensure sustainability with regard to environment, SIMA Chairman P Nataraj said in a statement today.
Each textile processing unit would ensure complying with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board norms by adopting specified methods, including zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technology apart from conserving water and
recording the effluent treatment performance data with TNPCB Water Quality Watch Centre. It was decided to enforce self-discipline to be monitored by a competent and credible external body, he said.

Perundurai SIPCOT is housed with over 35 textile processing units, besides several other industrial units including tanneries Each textile processing unit has invested Rs 10-30 crore for ZLD effluent treatment plant and also spends huge recurring expenditure to comply with the environmental norms and protect the environment, Nataraj said..

Textile processing is the weakest link in the entire textile value chain, particularly in Tamil Nadu, and availability of quality water and treatment of the textile in a cost-effective manner had become major challenges for the processing sector to sustain its viability and survival, he noted.

Tamil Nadu is one of the fastest growing States complying with the various regulations and laws and also pioneered in the adoption of ZLD technology for treating the textile effluents. The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (SIPCOT) encouraged industrialists to adhere to the regulations and comply with the various statues and promoted large number of industries across Tamil Nadu, Nataraj added.