SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd CEO Nur Fadhilah Muhammad presents the Product Carbon Footprint award to JTS Group .

BY FATIHAH MANAF

JTS Group emerges as a trailblazer in this landscape , leading the way in this transformative shift . Despite sustainability ’ s inherent challenges to energy-demanding industries like aluminium production , JTS is resolute in its mission to redefine norms through inventive initiatives to minimise its environmental footprints .

" JTS has always been involved in recycling . Our goal has been resource recovery and management of raw materials that we obtain from the supply chain . Currently , JTS ' s main focus has been on

dross recovery to produce aluminium that can be used back in the supply chain . Through this process , we avoid valuable resource from being disposed into landfills ," explained JTS Group Research and ESG Director Tridansh Bahadur Pandey .

He believed that landfilling was the least optimal means of resource management . He stressed the importance of minimising landfill usage and facilitating material reuse through the circular economy ecosystem .

REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS

Tridansh emphasised that increasing material utilisation within supply chains could reduce demand for virgin resources , thus lowering carbon emissions linked to extraction ( mining ) and production of virgin raw materials . He underscored the benefits of curbing landfill dependency : reducing carbon emissions and disposal activities , and the preservation of unpolluted land .

" Landfilling comes with its negative aspects such as the utilisation of valuable lands and the loss of potentially valuable resources . These aspects increase the carbon footprint of the nation . Generally , landfills should be the last resort for waste management . We hope to address these points through our activities , particularly in dross management , to reduce carbon emissions ," he elaborated .

JTS Group Founder Ramkripal Pandey added that the company ’ s efforts that contribute to carbon sequestration and reduction of environmental degradation encompass a range of activities , including conducting research and development ( R & D ), implementing climate change mitigation programmes , and promoting sustainable practices in agricultural and industrial processes . These endeavours are undertaken to achieve both

economic progress and environmental sustainability .

SWITCHING TO GREENER FUEL

Tridansh provided further insight into JTS ’ s research on fuel switching . He said previously , JTS had been using heavy fuel oil for smelting . The use of fossil fuels is a common practice in the smelting industry due to the need for high heat energy during the smelting process .

“ The industry practice typically involves using fossil fuels , including liquid fuels , gas fuels , or solid fuels like coal . Electric furnaces do exist but are more suitable for specific applications like stainless steel production and other high-end metal melting processes . However , they are not as applicable for dross melting or most aluminium smelting facilities .”

He explained that JTS ’ s transition to alternative fuels started in 2019 when numerous organisations committed to decreasing emissions and fossil fuel consumption . The government entities in Johor also suggested a shift away from heavy fuel oil due to its environmental implications .

Tridansh mentioned that researching , developing , and implementing the transition to alternative oil took approximately six to nine months to complete . He noted that JTS reported a significant achievement during this phase , highlighting a remarkable 30 per cent decrease in emissions and fossil fuel usage .

“ Our primary goal at the time was to enhance the working environment for our immediate workforce by addressing smog generation caused by heavy fuel oil usage . We explored various oil alternatives available in the market , considering the system in place and safety concerns .

“ Initially , we considered the possibility of switching to natural gas . However ,