EU EEPEx project conducts training for D/C millers

The EU EEPEx project (enhancing environmental performance in key Sri Lankan export sectors), focuses on assisting industries to address their environmental issues and switch to sustainable production practices and technologies.

In line with its objectives, the EEPEx project conducted a training programme in Kurunegala for D/C millers recently.

EEPEx is an EU-SWITCH Asia funded project implemented by a consortium of partners led by Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) and supported by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and three overseas partners – Megaskills Research Co. Ltd. UK, IVL Swedish Environmental Institute Ltd. in Sweden and Fraunhofer Institute IFF in Germany.

The project is spearheaded by Project Director H.S. Premachandra. The training programme was based on educating the D/C Millers on the advantage of strengthening and enhancing environmental performance in their mills for better production. The distinguished panel comprised of technical experts from the ITI.

Whilst Head – Environmental Technology Section H.N. Gunadasa gave an overview on the desiccated coconut industries, Head – Food Technology Section Dr. Jaanaki Gooneratne offered advice on adding value to coconut water. She spoke on by-products such as vinegar, nata de coco, alcoholic beverages, fermented drinks and blended juices, which could be manufactured from coconut water. Research Engineers Ramya Wijesekera and Hasanthie Dissanayake addressed the gathering on treatment of wastewater generated from D/C manufacturing process, cleaner products opportunities and best practices and air emission issues in D/C mills and control measures.

Research Officer Channa Kalansooriya, who specialises in noise, spoke on noise control measures for D/C mills. Complementing the technical session, EEPEx Project Director H.S. Premachandra created awareness amongst the participants about the services provided to various sector industries by EEPEx and spoke on the advantage of capacity building and how it would benefit them.

Deputy Director, Provincial Environmental Authority – North Western Province Saman Kumara highlighted the importance of D/C millers adhering to regulatory requirements and methods of obtaining necessary license for the operation of D/C mills.

Over 30 D/C millers from the Kurunegala, Gampaha and Puttalam areas participated and the interactive ‘Q & A’ session which followed the presentations, clearly indicated the interest the training programme had created amongst the participants. G. Bhyravi of Luxshmi D/C Mills commenting on the programme stated: “The training programme helped me to enhance my knowledge on the overall environmental aspects involved in operating a D/C mill for better and cleaner production” and Lanka United D/C Mills Janath Chandima Perera said, “It was a very educative and meaningful training programme”.

Project Director Premachandra reporting on the end results of the programme stated: “It is gratifying to note that we have received very encouraging comments and remarks and three D/C millers who participated have already confirmed that they will join the project. There is no doubt that the training programme has created a great impact.”