Zero-discharge, solar energy, and air quality controls define future-ready Capes facility

Calderys, a global player in high-temperature industrial solutions, is incorporating multiple sustainability measures at its new greenfield manufacturing project in Odisha. The facility, known as Capes (Calderys Plant in East & South), is being developed as a major production site for refractories and steel casting fluxes catering to the Indian market.

Located in eastern India, the plant is being positioned as a next-generation industrial facility. It is currently adopting a broad set of environmental strategies—spanning renewable energy use, water management, air quality control, and circular economy practices—to align with India’s broader goals around industrial decarbonization and sustainable development.

One of the core sustainability features of the Cape project is its zero effluent discharge design. The plant will not release any wastewater outside its premises, using on-site effluent treatment and sewage treatment systems to recycle and reuse water, especially for non-core applications like landscaping. Additionally, 95 groundwater recharge pits are planned to support aquifer replenishment and mitigate the plant’s hydrological impact on the surrounding area.

Renewable Energy and Emissions Control

The plant aims to source 20 per cent of its energy needs from solar power within five years, indicating a long-term transition plan toward cleaner electricity. In parallel, a dust and emission control system—featuring high-efficiency filtration technologies—is being deployed to significantly reduce particulate matter levels, with a target of maintaining air quality standards better than those at conventional refractory plants.

Environmental planning at the CAPES site includes the development of a 33 per cent green cover across the premises. So far, 800 out of a proposed 2,000 trees have been planted as part of the site’s biodiversity and microclimate management efforts.

The facility is also embracing resource circularity by integrating scrap and recycled raw materials into its manufacturing processes. This aligns with broader trends in industrial sectors where waste reduction and materials reuse are becoming important operational metrics.

According to Calderys, these initiatives are part of a broader internal framework aimed at embedding environmental considerations into core plant design and operations, rather than treating them as compliance checklists.

While the plant is still under phased development, the practices at Capes reflect a shift in how greenfield industrial projects in India are being designed—with sustainability, water resilience, and emission control built in from the outset. This comes amid increasing regulatory focus and investor interest in ESG-aligned infrastructure, especially in energy-intensive sectors.

The Odisha facility could serve as a reference point for similar industrial units seeking to balance operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.