Its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Panoli, India, has been awarded the prestigious
Edge Green certification. This independent recognition highlights the plant’s impressive
sustainability achievements, including 30% energy savings, 78% water savings, and a 65%
reduction in embodied energy in construction materials. The Edge Green certification is a
primary innovation of the World Bank Group to promote sustainable buildings worldwide.
“Panoli is one of the greenest tyre manufacturing facilities anywhere in the world,” enthuses
Mr. Dhaval Nanavati, CEO of Ascenso.
“Every aspect of the plant – energy consumption, water usage, material selection, external
landscaping – has been influenced by the Tread Green mantra.
“For example, we’ve reduced the window to wall ratios, increased roof insulation, and used
special reflective paints on roofs and walls, the combined e/ect of which has massively
reduced reliance on energy-intensive HVAC systems.”
Every water-using apparatus, from the WCs in all the bathrooms, to the taps in kitchens, and
of course the machinery in the manufacturing plant itself, has been designed and installed
with water e/iciency in mind. This extends to black and grey water treatment and recycling.
“Even the ‘sunk’ energy – that consumed in the production of the building materials
themselves – has been minimised by appropriate selection of low-energy, or lowmaintenance
choices.”
Mr Nanavati explains that these measures extend to outside the plant, too, where the
company has planted more than 50,000 trees across its 127 acres, increasing the green cover
to e/ect better carbon capture, increase the soil’s water-holding capacity, and create a more
pleasant microclimate.
“And then there’s energy. We can’t escape the fact that a manufacturing plant with the
capacity of Panoli, however e/icient we can make it, requires significant amounts of energy.”
“So, what we can do is to make good choices about where we source that energy.”
To that end, Ascenso sources wind-solar hybrid power for part of its requirements.
“This is a truly sustainable energy solution that will reduce our CO2 emissions by some 8,500
tonnes, ensuring that every Ascenso tyre fitted to an o/-highway vehicle boasts at least 50%
green energy in its production. The goal is to move towards 100% in coming times.”
“It’s a giant leap towards carbon neutrality in the tyre sector, and one on which we fully intend
to build to reach our net zero goal.”
Ascenso, which has released more than 900 new sizes to its portfolios across agriculture,
industrial and construction, earth moving, material handling and forestry over the last four
years, intends to build a presence in all global markets and to become the world’s most
preferred OHT brand – something for which it says environmental responsibility is essential.
“With global reach comes global responsibility,” says Mr. Nanavati. “Ascenso is the tyre brand
of our times, created to help our customers unlock the true potential of their businesses.”
