May 24, 2024: Carbon additives company, Birla Carbon, said on May 13 its three manufacturing plants in India had become the latest to be awarded sustainability certification ISCC PLUS.

The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) is a voluntary scheme that helps identify companies providing sustainable and circular raw materials.

Birla said its plants at Renukoot, Gummidipoondi and Patalganga had been certified as ‘traders with storage and conversion units for blending carbon black’.

The company said the milestone achievement enhanced the reputation of its operations in India, and also burnished the firm’s sustainable manufacturing credentials.

Birla president and CEO John Loudermilk said the certification highlighted the firm’s role in driving positive change within the Indian and larger Asian manufacturing sector.

“As we expand our certification efforts globally, we reinforce our dedication to setting industry benchmarks and fostering a more sustainable future.”

Batteries International reported in May 2023 that Birla’s manufacturing plant in Italy had become the firm’s first to be awarded ISCC PLUS.

Last February, Birla said it had also received ISCC PLUS certification for its manufacturing plants in the US (Hickok) and South Korea (Yeosu).

In July 2022, Birla announced it had raised a $50 million loan to refinance part of the capital expenditure incurred for tackling emissions at its North Bend plant in the US.