Sustainability at Ion Exchange
Ion Exchange was founded in 1964 to make water a force for positive change. Today our technologies treat, recycle and reuse water and waste for industries, institutions, homes and communities in 67 countries. Sustainability is what we deliver to customers, and it must also describe how we run our own business.
In 2026 we brought Environment, Health & Safety and Sustainability together under one ESG framework. Every plant we operate, every project we build and every customer site we service is held to the same goal: zero harm to people, low-carbon operations and responsible use of water and materials.
Our commitments
Our long-term ESG targets are carbon neutrality by 2030, net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and water positivity across our operations. Progress is reviewed by internal committees with senior management and Board representation.
| Target | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Carbon neutrality | 2030 |
| Net-zero GHG emissions | 2050 |
| Water positivity across operations | Long-term |
| Zero waste to landfill | Long-term |
| Zero harm to people at every location | Ongoing |
What we want Ion Exchange to stand for
01
Zero harm
To people, at every location.
02
Low-carbon operations
Across our value chain.
03
Water stewardship
Water positivity and zero waste to landfill at our operations.
04
Circular products
Designed for efficiency, durability and circularity.
05
Care for people
Health, wellbeing and growth of our workforce and neighbouring communities.
06
Diversity and inclusion
A fair workplace for all.
07
Responsible value chain
High standards on safety, environment, labour and ethics.
08
Transparent governance
The highest standards of ethics and disclosure.
Seventeen goals,
one water-first mission
Our purpose is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Water connects them all, so we act where it matters most.
Hover a goal to preview it, select it to hold
Performance at a glance
All figures are from the BRSR FY 2025-26, standalone entity, with limited assurance by TÜV SÜD South Asia.
Environment
We reduce our own footprint with the same technologies we build for customers: water recycling, Zero Liquid Discharge, cleaner energy and resource recovery.
Climate & energy
We are cutting emissions through renewable power, cleaner fuels and electrified equipment.
- Solar power: 1,606 kWp of rooftop solar across our sites.
- Cleaner fuels: CNG and LPG replace diesel in boilers and ovens.
- Electric mobility: battery-operated forklifts, stackers and pallet trucks, and electric buses for internal transport. At Ankleshwar, an electric stacker replaced diesel-driven equipment.
- Efficient equipment: variable frequency drives, energy-efficient motors and chillers, planetary gearboxes in reactors, steam condensate recovery and LED lighting with occupancy sensors.
- Everyday ownership: motion-sensor lighting at Roha and machine “switch-off owner” boards at our Goa systems plant.
- Value chain: we are collecting supplier data to understand our Scope 3 emissions.
Water
Water is our business, and we manage our own use as carefully as our customers’.
- Zero Liquid Discharge: our new resin plant at Roha, Maharashtra, runs a 3,000 KLD ETP with ZLD.
- Recycling at source: Ankleshwar recovers about 700 KLD of treated effluent for reuse in production; Patancheru recycles about 30 KLD through an evaporator system.
- Rainwater: harvesting at our Goa plant and filtration at our Patancheru (Hyderabad) unit.
- Reuse in daily operations: RO-reject water reused for handwashing at Hosur; sensor taps at wash points in Goa.
- At customer sites: our O&M team at one of India’s leading oil and gas companies was recognised for the highest water recycling: 7,38,249 m³ in August 2026.
- Water as a market: we joined the CII and 2030 Water Resources Group (World Bank) workshop on wastewater reuse certificates, positioning Ion Exchange as a water-circularity partner for industry.
Circular economy
We design out waste in our plants and help customers recover value from theirs.
- Plastic Pyrolysis Unit: showcased at the World Circular Economy Forum 2026, Gandhinagar, converting plastic waste into recoverable resources.
- Packaging reuse: inspected 220 L raw-material drums reused for finished goods with recycle-count labels (Patancheru); single-use shrink wrap eliminated and reusable caps used for UF modules (Goa membranes plant).
- Container reuse: empty chemical cans reused as plant containers and planters.
- Responsible disposal: Extended Producer Responsibility compliance for plastics; e-waste and hazardous waste only through authorised recyclers and licensed facilities.
- Less waste overall: total waste fell 12% in FY 2025-26.
World Environment Day 5 June 2026
Safety & health
Our goal is Zero Harm: every person (employee, contractor or visitor) returns home safely. In FY 2025-26 we recorded zero lost-time injuries and zero fatalities among employees, and our safety system was recognised with the British Safety Council International Safety Award 2026 (Distinction).
Engineering hazards out at source
The most reliable control removes the hazard itself. Examples: spent-acid lines rebuilt with minimal joints to remove leak points; valves raised above ground so no one enters pits; monorail lifting for LPG cylinders; permanent welded lines replacing flexible hoses; flange guards on acid and caustic lines.
Process and electrical safety
HAZOP studies at Ankleshwar, Patancheru and Roha; Management of Change and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews; a Permit-to-Work system for hot work, confined space and work at height. Electrical panels are protected with CO₂ flooding systems and fire-retardant cable coatings, and teams use arc-flash suits for live electrical work.
Emergency preparedness
Regular mock drills, live fire drills and rescue training; dedicated emergency-equipment cabins; mobile foam units where paints and solvents are stored; mandatory gas monitoring in every confined-space permit.
Digital safety
Our EHS mobile app lets anyone report a near miss, unsafe act or unsafe condition from the shop floor, with automatic escalation and live dashboards. It earned the Platinum Award for Best Use of Technology in Safety: Manufacturing at the IBC OHS&E Excellence Awards 2026. Touch-screen Safety Training Kiosks at Ankleshwar and Goa provide on-demand induction for employees, visitors and contractors.
Capability building
Behaviour-Based Safety and leadership safety training; e-learning on the ION Academy platform; British Safety Council Premium Membership with licences covering work at height, hazardous substances, permit-to-work and mental health. 93% of employees received health and safety training in FY 2025-26.
Safety at customer sites and projects
Our O&M and project teams work to both Ion Exchange standards and our customers’ requirements, through joint campaigns, cross audits, daily fitness checks before work at height, and monthly worker recognition. Milestones include 1 million safe man-hours at one of India’s leading oil and gas companies and a 99.32% client safety audit score at one of India’s leading oil and gas companies.
People & communities
We care for the health, growth and dignity of our people and of the communities around our sites.
Wellbeing
Health and accident insurance for 100% of permanent employees; periodic medical surveillance; occupational health centres at plants.
Fair workplace
Equal employment opportunity, gender-neutral hiring and zero tolerance for forced or child labour; 100% of employees trained on human rights; zero complaints on harassment, discrimination or wages in FY 2025-26.
Growth
Performance and career reviews for 100% of employees; technical and leadership training across plants, projects and offices.
Worker welfare at project sites
Clean drinking water, toilets and first aid; vector control against mosquito-borne disease.
Engagement
World Environment Day and Electrical Safety Week at every plant, project and O&M site; tree-plantation drives; leadership town halls; blood donation camps and drug-free awareness drives.
Communities (Ion Foundation)
Education and scholarships, vocational skills for youth and women, primary healthcare, clean drinking water and rural infrastructure near our locations.
Governance & ESG systems
ESG is governed from the top and measured with evidence. A dedicated core group led by the Managing Director & CEO drives our ESG strategy, and ESG risks are part of our Enterprise Risk Management framework.
13priority topics
Materiality assessment
Identifies 13 priority topics, led by water and waste management, safe chemistry and product stewardship, climate and energy, and occupational health and safety.
Assured disclosure
Our BRSR is assured by TÜV SÜD South Asia.
One ESG data platform
Monthly ESG data from every location on a single digital system, backed by data-collection SOPs and authenticity checks.
Site-level sustainability plans
Each plant sets its own energy, water and waste action plan, starting with Ankleshwar and Patancheru.
Certified systems
ISO 14001 environmental management and ISO 45001 occupational health and safety at our manufacturing businesses.
Responsible value chain
A Supplier Code of Conduct covering environment, labour and anti-corruption, with supplier assessments and sustainability awareness sessions.
Ethics
Zero-tolerance anti-bribery policy, whistle-blower mechanism and Board-level oversight; no fines or corruption cases in FY 2025-26.
Sustainability,
independently recognised
Our commitment to water, people and the planet continues to earn recognition from leading global institutions and industry bodies.
International Safety Award: Distinction
Presented in Mumbai by Mike Robinson, CEO of the British Safety Council, and received by Dinesh Sadasivan, President & CMO, and Amar Dalvi, AVP & Head, EHS & ESG. The award recognises our safety systems, disciplined execution and alignment with international best practice.
Industry engagement
We share our experience with industry peers and policymakers to raise standards across sectors.
- Sep 2026
World Circular Economy Forum, Gandhinagar
Showcased our Plastic Pyrolysis Unit; drew interest from industry, municipalities and IITs
- Sep 2026
ESG & Climate Tech Summit
Climate risk and business resilience
- Sep 2026
CII / 2030 Water Resources Group (World Bank), New Delhi
Workshop on wastewater reuse certificates and water trading
- May 2026
Bharat CSR & Sustainability Summit, Mumbai
Panel: “Sustainability That Pays”
- 2026
British Safety Council Conference
Dinesh Sadasivan on building roadmaps for HSE excellence
- Apr 2026
Annual EHS Meet, Goa
Internal roadmap for FY 2026-27 with EHS leaders from all businesses
- 2025
NEXTGEN EHS Forum
Panel: “EHS as a Business Imperative”
- Sep 2025
CII Safety Symposium, Kolkata
Panel: “Leadership Role in Implementing Innovation in HSE”
Progress, published and audited
Our sustainability performance is documented in the open, filed and available to read.
Reports & downloads
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