Telangana PCB orders closure of Mahetiya Industries, asks TGSPDCL to cut power
HYDERABAD: The Telangana Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) has ordered the closure of Mahetiya Industries Pvt Ltd for multiple violations of consent conditions and environmental norms. The Board also directed the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) to disconnect power supply to the industry with immediate effect.
Officials said the unit had obtained Consent for Operation (CFO) on March 12, 2025, but it expired on June 30, 2025. The renewal application was rejected on August 26, 2025. Despite this, the industry continued operations.
Committee found major non-compliances
During inspections, the committee noted that the company was using wood as fuel for firing its reactor. It had not provided a scientifically designed flare system to burn excess un-condensed gases routed through an alkali scrubber, as mandated. A characteristic odour was observed within the premises.
The panel also found that the industry failed to provide a bank guarantee of ₹3 lakh as required under the CFO order. Raw material was stored outside designated sheds, and mandatory systems such as suction hoods, dust collectors, alkaline scrubbers, water sprinkling systems, nitrogen purging units, and PLC-based control systems were not in place.
Further, the unit had not installed PLC-based carbon monoxide sensors with alarms, despite clear directions under new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Public complaints of pollution
Residents of Katepally village informed the committee that two tyre pyrolysis units, including Mahetiya Industries, were located near agricultural fields and a water body within 500 metres. They alleged that thick black soot was spreading up to 1 km, damaging crops and creating odour nuisance, making it difficult for labourers to work in the fields.
Closure under Air Act
After considering the violations, the committee recommended closure. The Board invoked its powers under Section 31(A) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, to issue the order.
“The Board is of the firm opinion that the industry is not complying with consent conditions and is causing air and water pollution in the surrounding area. In the interest of protecting public health and the environment, closure orders are issued,” the order stated.
The PCB warned that if the unit continued to operate, its management would face prosecution under Section 37(1) of the Air Act, which carries a minimum sentence of one-and-a-half years’ imprisonment, extendable to six years, along with fine.
The Board has also recommended that the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) verify whether the land where the unit operates qualifies as industrial use.
What is tyre pyrolysis?
Tyre pyrolysis is a thermal decomposition process carried out in the absence of oxygen. Waste tyres are heated in specially designed reactors, breaking them down into four outputs:
Pyrolysis oil used as an industrial fuel or refined further
Carbon black residue reused in rubber, plastics, and as filler material
Steel scrap recycled by the steel industry
Syngas used internally to power the pyrolysis plant
The method is promoted as a recycling solution that reduces landfill dependence while recovering energy from waste.
Environmental benefits
Waste reduction: Diverts scrap tyres from landfills, reducing fire and leachate risks.
Energy recovery: Produces oil and gas as substitutes for fossil fuels.
Circular economy: Returns carbon black and steel to industrial chains, reducing need for virgin resources.
Environmental concerns
Air emissions: Poorly managed plants emit volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter.
Odour and leakage: Faulty sealing allows harmful gases to escape.
Carbon footprint: Process still produces greenhouse gases.
Residue management: Improper handling of wastewater and solids contaminates soil and water.
Regulatory scrutiny and public health
In India and other countries, tyre pyrolysis units have faced strict monitoring after reports of non-compliance. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) mandated stricter emission norms, air pollution controls, and safe disposal of residues.
Communities near such units have complained of respiratory illnesses, odour nuisance, and toxic exposure when facilities are poorly designed or operated.
Industry and economic angle
The sector provides opportunities for small and medium enterprises, substitutes raw materials for industries, and generates local employment in recycling. Global energy trends also show interest in pyrolysis as an alternative fuel pathway, though sustainability certifications are becoming essential.
Future outlook
The viability of tyre pyrolysis depends on:
Adoption of continuous reactors with advanced emission controls
Enforcement of strict but supportive regulations
Integration into circular economy models linking tyre collection, processing, and reuse
Experts say pyrolysis is a bridging technology — it can reduce waste tyre burden if managed safely, but without innovation and oversight, it risks creating more pollution.
