Chemicals Magadi unveils first-ever electric calcining plant in carbon neutrality drive

Ramakrishnan Mukundan, Chairman, Tata Chemicals Magadi during plant launch [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited (TCML) has commissioned a 10 tons per hour electric calciner, the first of its kind in the global soda ash industry, in a bid to accelerate the path to carbon neutrality.

The facility launched on Friday, along with the launch of a 5MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant marks an ambitious transition from Heavy Furnace Oil (HFO) based calcination to renewable, low-carbon technologies.

The commissioning of the new plant forms part of TCML’s expansion program that positions it the Africa’s largest producer of natural soda in Kajiado County as a leading player in sustainable industrial practices and brings the company closer to achieving carbon neutrality in line with the Tata Group’s 2045 target.

Tata Chemicals Magadi Managing Director S Nagarajan, speaking during the plant launch, emphasised the significance of the investment for both Kenya’s industrial growth and the Group’s sustainability vision.

“With the commissioning of this electric calciner and solar PV plant, TCML is on a clear trajectory to become a net-zero carbon operation, in line with our Project Alingana commitments. This milestone demonstrates our faith in Kenya’s industrial potential and our dedication to building a sustainable future for generations to come, “said Nagarajan

Beyond sustainability, Tata Chemicals Magadi places the highest priority on operational safety across all its facilities. The new calciner and its supporting infrastructure have been designed and commissioned in accordance with stringent safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of employees, contractors, and the surrounding communities.

Project Alingana, the Tata Group’s flagship sustainability initiative, aims to achieve a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero status by 2045 across all operations. TCML’s new calciner and solar infrastructure are expected to contribute effectively to this goal, making the company one of the lowest-carbon-footprint soda ash producers in the world.

This innovation is geared towards enhancing the company’s operational efficiency and product output, thereby strengthening Kenya’s role as a key supplier of sustainable soda ash to the global glass, detergent, and chemical industries.