EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) - Bina Refinery (BR) is committed to sustainable environmental management and aims to become a Net Zero Refinery by 2040 for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Embracing the motto "Growing the Region, Growing with the Region," Bina Refinery integrates its strategy, investments, and environmental ambitions to foster a sustainable planet. The refinery emphasizes environmental protection through continual improvement, adhering to its Quality, Environmental, Health, and Safety (QEHS) policy and international standards like ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) and ISO 50001 (Energy Management System).
Bina Refinery has achieved significant advancements across various environmental spectrums, including renewable energy, water management, waste management, emission reduction, and ecological development.
Key highlights include:
- Green belt development with plantation of over 500,000 trees.
- Comprehensive rainwater harvesting facilities with a storage capacity of 170,000 cubic meters.
- Achieving Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) certification with more than 99% diversion level.
- Commissioning one of India's largest Green Hydrogen plant (5 MW).
- Significant strides in energy conservation, reducing specific energy consumption by 3.43 cumulative MBN over five years.
- Implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) to achieve 100% recycling of treated wastewater.
- Robust air pollution control measures, including low sulfur fuel use, ultra-low Nox burners and advanced emission monitoring systems.
These initiatives demonstrate Bina Refinery’s progressive commitment to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation.
Introduction
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) - Bina Refinery (BR) operates as a socially responsible and environment-friendly organization, guided by its motto: “Growing the Region, Growing with the Region”. The refinery is actively integrating its strategic planning, investments, environmental goals, and social ambitions to advance towards a sustainable planet. Bina Refinery's commitment to environmental protection is a core emphasis, benefiting its stakeholders through a process of continual improvement and is inherent in its Quality, Environmental, Health, and Safety (QEHS) policy. The refinery demonstrates robust Green Environmental Management Systems by adopting international standards, specifically ISO 14001 for Environmental Management Systems and ISO 50001 for Energy Management Systems.
Community Initiatives
Bina Refinery actively partners with communities by supporting numerous initiatives primarily focused on:
- Enhancing education standards.
- Promoting sports activities.
- Implementing water conservation efforts.
- Fostering healthcare services in nearby villages.
- Creating community awareness on Govt. Mission Life themes.
Environmental Management & Best Practices
Bina Refinery's environmental management framework provides a clear overview of the measures implemented to achieve harmonized and sustainable environmental management, ensuring continual ecological and environmental improvement. The refinery has made commendable progress across various aspects of environmental management, including renewable energy, water management, waste management, emission reduction, and ecological development. The "Best Practices" adopted by Bina Refinery underscore its optimistic and progressive approach toward Sustainable Environment Management.
Green Belt Development & Biodiversity
Bina Refinery prioritizes green belt development to protect natural environments, including biodiversity, improve regional air quality, control pollution, and maintain the microclimate of the region. This initiative aims for overall improvement in the environmental conditions within and around the refinery.
Key initiatives and achievements include:
- Tree Plantation: Over 500,000 trees have been planted in a phased manner since 2008, covering areas inside the refinery, residential township, nearby villages, and schools and communities.
- Dedicated Water Pipeline: A 13-kilometer water pipeline has been developed specifically for green belt maintenance.
- Kanjia Village Afforestation: As a notable eco-friendly initiative, Bina Refinery planted 100,000 saplings in 90 hectares of forest land at Kanjia village, Madhya Pradesh, in July 2024, in collaboration with the Village Joint Forest Management Committee and the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. This project highlights the refinery's commitment to Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change.
- Biodiversity Assessment: As an environment-friendly organization, BPCL Bina Refinery is conducting a biodiversity assessment along with a development plan for the Refinery, Township, and nearby village areas (within a 10-kilometer radius). The study's objectives are to:
- Undertake a three-season biodiversity study of BPCL Bina Refinery and its surrounding area.
- Identify tree, bird, insect, and animal species in the green belt and residential areas.
- Assess water availability in green belt areas.
- Develop a comprehensive Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP).
Water Management & Conservation
To address water scarcity and optimize water usage, Bina Refinery is committed to harvesting and preserving water for the benefit of the wider community. The refinery recognizes the necessity of water conservation studies and improving water use efficiency.
Key water harvesting facilities and measures include:
- Rainwater Harvesting Facilities:
- Developed facilities across 12 acres with a storage capacity of 170,000 cubic meters.
- Equipped with 10 artificial recharge wells with a recharge capacity of 25,000 cubic meters.
- Natural Pond Utilization: Natural ponds within the premises, totalling 56,392 square meters, are utilized for rainwater harvesting.
- Water Catchment Area: A total water catchment area of more than 337,000 square meters has been developed.
- Groundwater Recharge: Approximately 200,000 to 600,000 cubic meters of groundwater are recharged annually, depending on yearly rainfall.
- Water Audit and Conservation Study: In line with guidelines from the Central Water Commission and Central Ground Water Board, Government of India, Bina Refinery conducted a "Detail Feasibility study on Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) in refinery and residential complex." The aim is to conserve more rainwater and minimize fresh water intake. This study enhances knowledge and documentation of the water distribution system, problem and risk areas, and provides a better understanding of water usage after it leaves the source point.
Waste Management: Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL)
Effective waste disposal is critical for refineries to prevent ground contamination. Bina Refinery has implemented an extensive waste management system. As an environment-friendly organization, BPCL Bina Refinery has achieved certification for over 99% diversion from landfills, which is the highest level of achievement for zero waste goals. This certification not only raises awareness but also benchmarks Bina Refinery's locations against global environmental standards. It ensures the adaptation of environmentally friendly methods to reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills.
Clean Energy Initiatives: Green Technology Adoption
Bina Refinery has adopted several greener technologies to reduce its carbon footprint, reaffirming its strong commitment to India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and the nation’s Net Zero target for 2070.
Energy Efficiency
Bina Refinery has made significant progress in enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability as part of its commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2040. Through continuous innovation and process optimization, the refinery has achieved a substantial reduction in specific energy consumption (MBN) over the past five years.
This reduction is driven by the successful implementation of 63 energy conservation projects, resulting in energy savings of over 62,600 metric tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE) and a cumulative MBN reduction of 3.43. Major projects include:
- Installation of a custom-designed micro turbine in the Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU) to recover steam energy and generate 2.5 MW of power.
- Transitioning all conventional lights to energy-efficient lights, making the refinery 100% LED-enabled.
- Transitioning to a single Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC) boiler operation.
- Optimization of cooling tower turbine usage.
- Upgrading heater technology.
- Enhancing waste heat recovery through modification.
- Installation of energy-efficient blades in place of conventional blades in process fin fan coolers.
- Implementation of an innovative flare gas recovery system to minimize flare loss.
Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)
Bina Refinery has established a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) strategy through the implementation of innovative and comprehensive water harvesting and recycling schemes:
- Robust Wastewater Treatment and Reuse: Achieves 100% recycling of Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) treated water through the Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant. The RO output is converted into Demineralized (DM) water, significantly reducing freshwater consumption.
- Storm Channel Water Management: Implemented a dedicated filtration and treatment system for stormwater channel recycling, enabling its use for firewater reservoir make-up. This initiative substantially reduces dependency on fresh water for fire protection needs.
- High Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Stream Segregation: High TDS effluent streams are segregated and directed to the DFDS system for controlled and efficient handling, enhancing overall wastewater treatment performance.
- Low TDS RO Reject Water Utilization: Low TDS reject water from the RO plant is repurposed for green belt irrigation, promoting water conservation and supporting environmental sustainability goals.
Air Quality Control
Bina Refinery implements various measures to minimize air pollution:
- Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) Emission Reduction: Use of low sulfur fuel.
- Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ) Emission Reduction: Provision of low-NOₓ burners in heaters, furnaces, and boilers.
- Particulate Matter (PM) Emission Minimization:
- Use of gaseous or liquid fuels in all furnaces, heaters, and boilers.
- Provision of Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP) in the Captive Power Plant (CPP).
- Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU): Provision of an SRU with greater than 99.9% efficiency to minimize SO₂ emission from the refinery complex.
- Emission Monitoring Systems:
- Provision of online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) in all stacks, with accessibility to the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
- Provision of online Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (AAQMS), also accessible to MPPCB.
- Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System in nearby villages through a mobile van.
Water Pollution Measures
- Effluent Treatment: Process of effluent treatment through a State-of-Art Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP).
- Third-Party Analysis: Regular third-party analysis by a Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) approved laboratory for Refinery, in addition to analysis by internal laboratories.
Awards & Recognition
Bina Refinery's green environmental management initiatives have received review, appreciation, and recognition from various external agencies. The refinery has won numerous awards:
FY: 2023-24
- IMC Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality Award (RBNQA) Performance Excellence Award 2023.
- National Award for Manufacturing Competitiveness (NAMC) 2023-24.
- Apex India Green Leaf Platinum Award 2023 for green belt development.
- Apex India Green Leaf Gold Award 2023 for Environment Excellence.
- Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) Award 2022 “Refinery of the Year (below capacity 9 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum)”.
- The Economic Times (ET) Energy Leadership Award-2023- “Refinery of the Year”.
FY: 2024-25
- BPCL-Chairman’s Award 2023-24 for Excellence in Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE).
- Green Initiative Award in the 3rd Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Transformation Award-2024.
- Apex India Green Leaf Platinum Award 2024 for Environment Excellence.
FY: 2025-26
- ET-Futurescaper Green Manufacturing Excellence Leaders Award 2025.
- “Most Reliable Refinery” award in the Global Refining & Petrochemicals Congress (GRPC) 2025.
- Global Energy Efficiency Platinum Award 2025 from Energy & Environment Foundation.