HUL at 75, to decrease C02 emissions, help farmers

Hindustan Unilever Limited,one of India's largest FMCG companies, which completes seventy five years of operation in India will work towards reduced carbon emissions, procure materials directly from farmers and enhance the livelihoods of women.

HUL Chairman, Harish Manwani addressing shareholders at the company's 75th AGM held at Mumbai recently said that HUL has also embraced Unilever's ambitious target of 25 per cent reduction in CO2 from energy in manufacturing operations per tonne of production by 2012, against a baseline of 2004.

HUL has recently developed a new process of manufacturing soap based on 'Plough Share Mixer' technology which eliminates the need for steam in soap making. The new technology cuts carbon emissions by 15,000 tons per year and HUL has been awarded carbon credits for this under the Clean Development Mechanism scheme operated by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Mr Manwani spoke about the significant progress made by the company on the environment front over the past few years. Since 2002, the company has reduced water usage per tonne by more than 50 per cent in its manufacturing operations. The energy consumption per unit of production since 2004 has also come down by 32

per cent. The company aims to become water positive across all its operations by 2015.

On the economic front, the company's leading food brand, Kissan, is targeting to source agricultural raw materials from primary producers. The company would pass on the entire economic benefits of this backward integration back to the farmers. In the environmental area the company will initiate rain water harvesting activities around 10 of its manufacturing units.

Mr Manwani articulated the specific initiatives that the company is taking up in these areas in 2008, in the 75th year of its existence in India. On the social front, the company will endeavour to enhance livelihoods of 75,000 women in a sustainable manner.

Mr Manwani also spoke about the commitment made by the employees to volunteer one hour for everyday that Hindustan Unilever has been in the country as a commemoration of the company's 75th year. This amounts to 27, 375 hours of voluntary work.

"It is ultimately the commitment of our people to 'doing well and doing good' that will earn us the love and respect of India and guarantee the success of the company and its continued relevance for the next 75 years and beyond," he said.