TNPL to invest 607 crores in energy efficiency

Tamil Nadu Newsprint & Papers (TNPL) will engage in 607-crore worth projects, directed at energy efficiency improvement via the revamping of steam and power systems (RSPS), 2 MW rooftop solar, and a 500 M3 wastewater treatment plant.

Incepted in 2019, the Revamping of Steam and Power System (RSPS) # 2 shall be carried out for seamless integration, with the existing coal feeding system and steam and power distribution system.

"This is estimated to be completed by June 2025 with a capital outlay of Rs 520 crore, out of which Rs 100 crore would be spent in the current year," according to M Sai Kumar, chairman and managing director of TNPL.

The project anticipates the installation of two high-pressure boilers to offer smooth mill operations with a reliable supply of utilities like steam and power.

At TNPL’s 43rd AGM, held on 25 September 2023, Kumar said that TNPL envisions reaching production of one million tonnes by 2030 (up from the projected six lakh plus tonnes in FY24). The focus is to become the number one choice for customers, and be the world’s most sustainable brand to manufacture eco-friendly paper and paperboards.

TNPL has a programme to implement a floating solar project with a capacity of 2 MW at an estimated cost of around 12 crore this fiscal.

The Chennai-based company proposes to install a 500 M3/day waste-water treatment plant at Unit-1 to treat effluent and reuse it internally. This results in reduced rate of discharge of effluent to less than 25 M3/MT of paper, with an estimated project cost of 75 crore.

TNPL is exploring new segments to forward integration into value-added products using paper and boards as raw materials and is in active discussions with paper machine manufacturers to get into newer categories of value-added papers.