The state-run MSTC (Government enterprise formerly known as Metal Scrap Trading Corporation) and Mahindra Intertrade, a part of the Mahindra Group have collaborated to set up an automobile shredding facility in India. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the company and the MSTC in this regard.
The proposed state-of-the-art facility will get a fully automated end-of-life vehicle recycling equipment, which will be the country’s first such facility. Commenting on it, MSTC Chairman and Managing Director S K Tripathi said: "MSTC is always looking at innovative ways to recycle scrap and protect the environment and this facility will help to participate in the emission targets which India has promised to fulfil via the COP 21 Emission Treaty."
Mahindra Intertrade Managing Director, Sumit Issar stated that the recycling process not only helps in saving energy costs but also helps in minimising the need for other resources as every tonne of new steel manufactured from scrap steel saves a substantial amount of iron ore, coal and limestone. He added, "If India focuses on scrapping old automobiles, it can recover significant amounts of steel scrap, aluminium scrap, plastic and rubber. Hence, there is a pressing need for facilities such as this one."
Adding to it, Mahindra Partners Managing Partner Zhooben Bhiwandiwala said, "While the number of cars has increased substantially over the last two decades, there is no recycling or scrapping provision in place to deal with old and discarded vehicles."
As new norms related to road worthiness of automobiles are stricter, it is expected that a huge number of vehicles will come under the end-of-life category. The initiative will help reduce the dependence on imports and also revolutionising the way automotive scrap is generated and procured in the country. Moreover, the steel mills will also get a one-stop solution for all their metal scrap related needs.
Apart from being environmentally friendly, it will also help keep the older vehicles off the streets.
