Ascenso’s greener tyre production

Ascenso is an off-highway tyre brand owned and promoted by Mahansaria Tyres Private Limited (MTPL), created by the Mahansaria Family more than three decades ago.  The Edge Green certification of their plant in Panoli, is a primary innovation of the World Bank Group to promote sustainable buildings worldwide.

“Panoli is currently one of the greenest tyre manufacturing facilities 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 effect of which has massively reduced reliance on energy-intensive HVAC systems.”

Every water-using apparatus, from the WC’s 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 efficiency 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 minimized by appropriate selection of low-energy, or low maintenance 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 effect better carbon capture, increase the soil’s water-holding capacity, and create a more pleasant micro climate.

“And then there’s energy. We can’t escape the fact that a manufacturing plant with the capacity of Panoli, however efficient 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 off-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, something for which it says environmental responsibility is essential.

“With global reach comes global responsibility,” says Mr. Nanavati. “We want customers to know that when they choose a product like an Ascenso tyre, not only do they benefit from the latest tyre technology and service standards, but they’re also receiving reassurance that they’re supporting the conservation of natural resources through responsible environmental stewardship. The clearest manifestation of that is our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint to zero through green infrastructure, initiatives and activities,” he explains, “with our Tread Green philosophy”.

Mr Nanavati says Tread Green is unique in the tyre sector, because it’s completely intertwined with the company. “This is a programme that’s been applied to improve the environmentally favourable practices. Tread Green has been the guiding philosophy since Ascenso started its journey, and is reflected in everything we do.” Tread Green’s biggest impact can be seen at the company’s manufacturing facility at Panoli, in Gujarat, India. This plant, spread over 127 acres, will eventually boast a production capacity of 70,000MT per annum.

“We will continue to evolve Tread Green,” says Mr Nanavati, “with the full intention to conserve and protect natural resources for future generations.”