Vikram Handa

Bulk Mesophase coke is an anode material precursor that is derived from coal tar-based raw materials. A coal based raw material is subjected to well-designed temporal thermal gradients to generate bulk carbonaceous Mesophase. One produced, the bulk Mesophase coke is a premium raw material used by anode manufacturers due to its high quality and consistent performance. We manufacture various grades of bulk Mesophase designed to meet the specific requirements and needs of our customers. Epsilon bulk mesophase coke series (EBM Series) of materials are known for their consistent quality and high performance.

We also produce various grades of synthetic graphite that contains various properties, which are designed to meet our customer’s specific requirements. Our team works closely with our customers to deliver specific use products. Epsilon synthetic graphite series (ESG Series) are highly indicated for its higher stability and long life cycles. This is in addition to its excellent performance under rapid charging and discharging cycles as well as in a low-temperature environment.

Silicon has recently generated high interest as one of the most promising anode materials for lithium ion batteries due to its high theoretical lithium storage capacity. However, the process of commercializing silicon anode is not a straightforward one due to major drawbacks, including volume expansion of the silicon upon lithium ion insertion. To overcome this, Epsilon is planning to conduct research experiments and lab scale trials in order to develop silicon graphite anodes for high capacity lithium ion batteries. We’re eager to explore the silicon graphite field and would welcome the opportunity to interact and perform joint collaborations with research institutions, anode manufacturers and customers.

Epsilon has the capability to manufacture both coal tar based carbon as well as bio based hard carbon, which can be used as anode material for Lithium-ion battery production. We’re also currently conducting research and pilot trials in order to develop a commercial product to augment our current portfolio of anode active materials.

Epsilon Carbon’s CSR interventions are guided by the expressed needs and development preferences of the communities in which we operate. Currently, Epsilon Carbon touches the lives of approximately 50,000 people across villages in the Ballari district in Karnataka.

Education is a powerful tool to drive positive change, reduce poverty and social inequality, improve health and productivity, and drive gender parity. It helps strengthen confidence, maximise earning potential, build careers and engage in social discourse.

Epsilon Carbon’s educational interventions include needs-based infrastructure development, repair, maintenance and upgradation of the schools and toilets near our plant locations. We support educationists with facilitation and resources, as well as set up libraries and laboratories to help improve the quality of education.

Epsilon Carbon helped create and fund Sanitation & Hygiene Entrepreneurs known as SHEs. The SHEs, two from each of the ten target villages are trained to create a talent pool of women entrepreneurs and certified to provide disinfection and deep cleaning services for vehicles belonging to public institutions.

Epsilon Carbon has commissioned Saahas to support a comprehensive solid waste management system in four villages. Project interventions include setting up infrastructure, regular collection and processing of solid waste, and behavioural change and capacity building. The long-term plan is to transfer the ownership of this project to local self-governments like the gram panchayat or local municipal corporation.

Epsilon Carbon has helped improve local infrastructure in many villages in and around our plant. Epsilon Carbon’s CSR activities includes the supply of safe drinking water in these villages, the construction of underground water storage tanks, bathrooms, and toilets.

Epsilon Carbon supports sports activities in village schools in the geographies in which they operate. Alongside, the company supports the Olympic dreams of talented and needy Indian athletes, through Inspire Institute of Sports – a high-performance training institute that trains young athletes across five Olympic disciplines – Athletics, Boxing, Judo, Swimming and Wrestling. Situated in Vijaynagar, Karnataka, IIS currently provides residential scholarships to over 150 junior athletes, providing access to structured, 360-degree holistic programmes leading to their overall development, sustainability, and empowerment. Since its inception in April 2017, IIS athletes have already made an impact, winning over 300 medals at various national and international sports competitions.

At Epsilon Carbon, we focus on reducing our carbon footprint through a slew of sustainable, ‘green’ measures

We at Epsilon Carbon are actively involved in minimising our carbon footprint. Our environment-friendly technologies help reduce greenhouse emissions as well as air and water pollutants. As India’s only backward-integrated coal tar distillation unit, we avoid long-distance transportation of raw materials. Being the country’s first continuous vacuum distillation facility, ensures that we have a dust-free environment. Each section of the coal tar distillation plant has separate scrubbing systems; the scrubbing towers are filled with random packing to absorb traces of VOCs, which would otherwise pollute the air. Two high-waste heat-recovery boilers help our facilities reduce utility usage and ensure energy efficiency. These endeavours have ensured that we have 10-12% less emissions than the global benchmark.

Epsilon Carbon is equally committed to environmental stewardship. Using feedstock with lower sulphur content means that our SOx and NOx emissions are the lower than that of the major global players in the Carbon Black industry – 0.3-0.5% as compared to the industry average of 3%. Using ‘clean’ coke oven gas with lower sulphur content as a secondary fuel means that we re-use what is essentially a ‘waste’ product that allows efficient manufacturing; coke oven gas has a lower sulphur content, which results in lower SOx emissions. Following the reuse, recycle mantra, we sell tail gas from Carbon Black production back to steel plants as heating fuel. Wash oil, used to absorb VOCs, is recycled when it reaches saturation levels

Epsilon Carbon is committed to zero discharge of effluents from its plants. All wastewater is treated in the Zero Discharge Plant (ZLD) and is reutilised for plant purposes. The current plant set up involves comprehensive wastewater treatment followed by biological treatment