There are at least 30 alternatives to carbon tetra chloride, which is being phased out in India , said Germany-based GTZ Proklima, an international co-operation enterprise for sustainable development.
This is used in refrigeration and air conditioning, general manufacturing, electrical, motor service, engineering, jewellery, textile, and film & offset printing.
According to Markus Wypior, project manager of GTZ in India , with demand exceeding supply, the price of carbon tetra has almost tripled in the last few years.
“We have identified alternatives like perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, hexane, methylenedichloride, isopropyl alcohol and acetone,” he said. Of these, trichloroethylene has carcinogenic properties.
He was speaking at a workshop organised by the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BNCCI).
“We have talked to 500 industrial units in West Bengal , and at least 100 of them are affected by the phasing out of carbon tetra. We will provide free technical assistance to the small and medium industries in India ,” said Felix Nitz, technical advisor of GTZ in Kolkata.
