@Green January/February 2023 | Page 23

JANUARY-FEBRUARY , 2023 | @ green

INDUSTRY

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Aluminium dross in dust form .
Aluminium Dross in block form . JTS Engineering collects aluminium dross in all forms including block , dust and loose dross .
Aluminium loose dross .
JTS Optimax focuses on research and development of aluminium dross .
The new cyclone system for furnace .
The bio-fuel system for furnace .
a wide range of topics , including finding ways to increase the recovery of aluminium-based products from aluminium dross , to reducing in-house waste generation and developing systems to reduce the company ’ s dependence on fossil fuels and improve air quality .
Established in Singapore in 2012 , JTS Optimax ’ s research focuses on aluminium dross management and recovery , empty fruit bunch processing and product development , biochar , activated carbon , and renewable electricity .
In 2015 , JTS Optimax set up a biochar pilot plant in Malaysia with a monthly capacity of 30-60 Mt . Its Malaysian entity focuses on educating people on biochar application and uses .
Under JTS Optimax , JTS Group is in the R & D stage of an aluminium Deox upcycling project that will significantly transform the game for the waste management industry .
Ramkripal said : “ This is a local project . We will run the programme at the local level . When it is successful , the project can be globalised .”
“ We have millions of tonnes of aluminium waste being disposed of globally . If this process can be replicated , we can reduce the mining rate for bauxite . So , the environmental
Key members of JTS Group , Ng Yoke Beng , Ramkripal and Thanasekaran .
impact of this globally is huge .”
JTS Optimax is committed to R & D in sustainable waste management and continuously explores innovative technologies and processes to reduce waste and promote environmental sustainability .
Additionally , JTS Optimax explores alternative technologies and processes for converting agricultural waste into organic products for agricultural use through closed-loop systems .
PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE BIOMASS SOLUTIONS
Taiyo Biomass , established in 2015 , is a leading supplier of palm kernel shells ( PKS ) to Japan . The company operates three yards in West and East Malaysia , processing and supplying between 140,000 and 160,000 metric tonnes of PKS annually .
Together with Ramkripal , Taiyo Biomass was co-founded by Gordon Au , a Kanto Gakuin University graduate with a degree in Economics . Gordon proactively seeks out potential market prospects and continuously maintains strong relationships with clients and suppliers for the business .
Taiyo Biomass is undergoing the final stages of its Global Green Label Certification ( GGL ) and has developed in-house software to improve the traceability of all PKS supplied .
“ To do PKS in Japan , we need GGL certification , provided by the control union . To obtain that certification , the company must exhibit traceability and transparency ,” shared Tridansh .
In 2017 , the company expanded its operations to Singapore , establishing a PKS marketing and sales division .
Taiyo Biomass provides various solutions and services , including procurement , maintenance and repair of all equipment , PKS stock sourcing for clients , processing of PKS stock and moisture management , provision of testing and processing equipment , and management of stockyards and labour .
JTS Group combines the technical expertise of JTS Engineering , JTS Optimax ’ s research capabilities and Taiyo Biomass ’ s expertise to realise its vision and mission in an enjoyable environment .

Driven by care and passion

WITH over 30 years of experience in environmental care and the circular economy , Ramkripal Pandey is a prominent figure in the industry , having represented TES-AMM at the United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP ) Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment Waste ( PACE ).
Ramkripal is deeply committed to making a personal contribution to the environment by utilising his technical expertise to help his businesses and other organisations achieve better results in reducing their carbon footprint .
“ Not many people in the industry have the passion and motivation to do the same thing - to focus on sustainability . Unfortunately , that is the case around the world ,” said Ramkripal .
Having started his sustainability journey in the 1980s , Ramkripal has been involved with TES-AMM and JTS Engineering Sdn Bhd - two companies operating in different recycling industry segments , including e-waste and aluminium dross . He then co-created JTS Optimax Sdn Bhd and Taiyo Biomass Sdn Bhd to address sustainability and the regional transboundary haze problem .
ADDRESSING THE CORE PROBLEM
Ramkripal said the government must balance between the environment and economic risks . He took the production of cathode-ray tube ( CRT ) monitors as an example where the products needed to be equipped with the proper recycling instruction .
“ Before someone sells a product , they should already have integrated recyling and resource recovery in the creation process . Companies ought to be made to pay for recycling and resource recovery where these costs have not been accounted for previously .
“ If not , just like when CRT monitors came into the market , we were hit by a tsunami of CRT waste . Because people did not know about the serious health and environmental costs of dumping these monitors , they would throw them out wherever they wanted .”
The materials from the CRT monitors , such as lead and mercury , became hazardous to the people and environment . He pointed out the same concern about the batteries of electric vehicles .
In addition , Ramkripal has long advocated for waste reduction as a
means to reduce healthcare expenses , sharing that less pollution will reduce government and family expenses . For example reduction on NOx and smog could reduce instances of asthma , thereby improving the overall productivity and quality of life in the country .
EMPHASISING LEGISLATION AND EDUCATION
Ramkripal ’ s leadership and dedication to sustainable business practices have led JTS Group to become a market leader in the recycling industry , focusing on reducing waste and minimising environmental impact . His vision and commitment to environmental responsibility are the driving force behind JTS Group ’ s continued success .
“ Everyone should practise sustainability . The thing is , we are humans .
As humans , most are opportunistic and narrow minded . We have to look at both the commercial value and the long term effects on our earth .
“ Governments are already incorporating soft legistlation and enforcements on sustainability to motivate companies . However , for sustainability to be achieved , it falls on the shoulders of every individual .”
Being sustainable will cost more , but companies must look at the overall tangible and intangible value they will get . Ramkripal noted that Malaysia had improved greatly in this sense - and there is always room to improve .
He emphasised the importance of education in sustainability .
“ We must build the right mindset from the young about the environment . Education is key .” – @ Green