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Ion Exchange makes profits in a socially-relevant way: through water treatment, afforestation and organic farming
Can the protection of natural resources be a profitable business venture? Ion Exchange, Mumbai, believes it can. To positively impact the environment and community life is the goal of this Indian company which offers total water management solutions and sustainable development in rural areas in partnership with NGOs and donor organisations. Ion Exchange also concentrates on recycling and purification of water for domestic and industrial purposes. It has recently branched out into environmental development too. As a part of its water management programme it processes 1,800 litres of water per day at Panchgani and provides 30,000 litres of safe drinking water to Methan each day. The company has also set up fluoride removal devices in handpumps in the states of Haryana, Karnataka and Gujarat with financial assistance from donor organisations like the Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation (BAIF), the Aga Khan Foundation and Oxfam. In keeping with chairman and managing director G S Ranganathan's long-standing vision to promote environmental development, the company has started afforestation schemes, which also ensure substantial financial returns. Called Enviro Farms, this venture seeks to turn fallow land into orchards using the best horticultural practices. Besides running the farm, Ion Exchange also undertakes the sale of such developed plots to investors. Already, IE has sold 240 acres of land at Bhale and 150 acres in Dapoli in Maharashtra. Enviro Farms is the first venture in the country where bio-intensive techniques like organic farming have been used commercially with American and Israeli aid. In collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the company has trained its hydraulic engineers in water treatment. It has started low-cost housing, bio-toilets, and alternative energy projects in underdeveloped areas with the help of groups like the Tata Energy Research Foundation and Sulabh International. Contact: Ion Exchange
Corporate Office and International Division
Tiecicon House, Dr E Moses Road
Mahalaxmi, Mumbai: 400011
Maharashtra, India
Tel: 91-22-493 95202325
Email:
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