TCML commissions first electric calciner, solar PV in Kenya

Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited (TCML), Africa’s largest producer of natural soda ash, has marked a notable milestone with the commissioning of a state-of-the-art 10 tons per hour electric calciner, the first of its kind in the global soda ash industry.

Alongside this, TCML has also launched a 5MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, marking a significant shift from Heavy Furnace Oil (HFO)-based calcination to renewable, low-carbon technologies. The commissioning, which forms part of TCML’s expansion program, positions Tata Chemicals Magadi as a leading player in sustainable industrial practices and brings the company closer to achieving carbon neutrality in line with the Tata Group’s 2045 target.

S Nagarajan, Managing Director & CEO, Tata Chemicals Magadi, emphasised the significance of the investment for both Kenya’s industrial growth and the Group’s sustainability vision, “With the commissioning of this electric calciner and solar PV plant, TCML is on a clear trajectory to become a net-zero carbon operation, in line with our Project Alingana commitments. This milestone demonstrates our faith in Kenya’s industrial potential and our dedication to building a sustainable future for generations to come."

In addition to sustainability, TCML prioritizes the highest standards of operational safety. The new calciner and its supporting infrastructure have been designed and executed in adherence to stringent safety protocols, ensuring the health and safety of employees, contractors, and surrounding communities. The company continues to invest in training, systems, and technologies that support a robust zero-harm culture.

Project Alingana, the Tata Group’s flagship sustainability initiative, aims to achieve a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero status by 2045 across all operations. TCML’s new calciner and solar infrastructure are expected to contribute effectively to this goal, making the company one of the lowest-carbon-footprint soda ash producers in the world.

This innovation also enhances TCML’s operational efficiency and product output, thereby strengthening Kenya’s role as a key supplier of sustainable soda ash to the global glass, detergent, and chemical industries.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)