ASCI and Covestro signed MoU for research study on Biosolids for safe agriculture use

NEW DELHI- Covestro (India) Pvt Ltd, a pioneer in providing technology solutions for treatment of sludge to make it safe for reuse, has signed an MoU with the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) to facilitate biosolids management through universally compatible materials which are based on solar greenhouse dryers. The research study will evaluate different sludge treatment technologies and propose a standard for treated biosolids which is free of pathogens, but with ample concentration of nutrients.

The study is significant as there are presently no standards issued by the Central Pollution Control Board or any other regulatory body on the use of treated sludge. The treated biosolids must meet the standards of Class A Biosolids (US-EPA) to be used for food-based agricultural produce. The study aims at defining the type of biosolids to effectively determine the end use of the treated biosolids. 

It also aims at developing a policy recommendation for the treatment of biosolids at the state and national levels. Therefore, there is an urgent need to conduct research that informs a science/ evidence-based policy to safely manage the generated biosolids from the FSTPs.

The Government of Telangana has established twenty-one FSTPs using five different technologies to treat the faecal sludge. ASCI is the knowledge partner of the Government of Telangana for the establishment of the FSTPs.

The MoU on the research study was signed on Mar 14, 2023,  between Prof. V Srinivas Chary, Director, ASCI, and Shri Veeralakshmanan Bagavathi, Head of Inclusive Business, Covestro - ISC and ASEAN, in the presence of Dr N. Satyanarayana, IAS, Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration Department, Govt. of Telangana and Shri Mayank Mittal, IAS, Additional Collector, Narayanpet.