Sona Koyo Steering Systems wins TERI Corporate Award

Sona Koyo Steering Systems, a leading auto component manufacturer, today won the 6th TERI Corporate Award for Environmental Excellence. The Finance Minister of India, Shri P. Chidambaram, presented the award to Dr Surinder Kapur, Chairman & Managing Director of Sona Koyo Steering Systems.

The Sona Group has begun a revolutionary process in its plant paint shop by using nitric acid instead of chromic acid, which is not only less hazardous but is also non-toxic. For the past several years, industry practice has been to use chromic acid as an anti-corrosive agent in the passivation step of the painting process. Chromic acid mist is carciogenic, when inhaled it readily diffuses the walls of the lungs entering the bloodstream. Meanwhile Hexavalent chromic acid after treatment forms a hazardous green sludge that causes ground water pollution if not disposed off efficiently. The process developed by Sona involved successive R&D to design an efficient and modified system with conceptualization, working drawings and revision experiments with the company’s Environmental Systems Group. Six months of application under constant supervision and process modification lead to the adoption of the revolutionary new process.

“We are extremely proud to receive the TERI Award. This is a recognition of our work and makes us feel more responsible towards the environment and the society as a whole”, says Dr. Surinder Kapur. He also adds that this will bring about a great and revolutionary change in the paint shops across industry.

The Sona Group’s social responsibility focuses on 3 key areas - reduce energy consumption contributing to the effort against global warming, turn into a zero waste group by 2010 and support skills development. The Sona Group has been supporting primary and secondary education in the village of Begumpur Khatola situated behind the manufacturing facilities in Gurgaon. It also supports the healthcare, livelihoods and basic infrastructure development, all of which facilitate the education and skills development process. The Sona Group runs a charitable dispensary, supports women’s Self Help Groups and provides skills training for women and young people in the community. Womens empowerment has been the keystone to success. Addressing the critical need for Vocational Training the Sona Group has entered into a PPP with the Govt. of Haryana and has completed the first phase of revamping ITI Nagina in Distt. Mewat. Students are being introduced to modern manufacturing concepts and practices, making them “job ready” across industries. Dr. Kapur has set up an incubation centre for Innovation in partnership with MDI Gurgaon. This addresses the need for support to innovation and entrepreneurship development. 30% of the seats have been reserved for weaker sections, taking forward the Governments agenda on Affirmative Action.