General Motors India has inaugurated an LNG facility at its Halol factory for gas supply to its manufacturing plant. The new facility is a result of an agreement between BPCL, INOX and GMI for the supply, re-gasification and final delivery of LNG at the company’s plant. While BPCL will supply the LNG, INOX will take care of the cargo handling services including loading and transportation of LNG. INOX will also carry out unloading of gas into storage tanks, regasification and final delivery of LNG to the plant.
GM has been using LPG in its plant at Halol for painting and other applications since 1996. After the commissioning of the new facility LNG will be used for paint baking, air conditioning and process fluid heating. It is also being used for cooking in the plant’s canteen. Besides being cheaper than LPG, LNG is safer and cleaner as it generates lower carbon emissions.
The LNG facility has adopted advanced safety procedures. These include global tools like Hazop or Hazard operability processes for handling and usage. The LNG installation is equipped with advanced remote operation facility, an on-site control room and fire-fighting equipment. It complies with all applicable safety and security standards.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Karl Slym, President and Managing Director, General Motors India said, “GM has made a commitment to sustainable transportation around the globe and our commitment to a green future extends to our plants that builds those vehicles as well. The inauguration of the facility represents a technological milestone of the joint efforts put in by BPCL, INOX and General Motors India and bears testimony to our commitment to a cleaner and greener environment. Given LPG’s high cost and availability issues, our aim was to find an alternative solution that provides better flexibility as well as cost savings and we are glad to have found established partners like BPCL and INOX to help us attain this technological milestone, said Mr. Slym.