The process of manufacturing of resin may be listed under Category B2 and the procedure required for Category B2 may be followed for the production of resin not exceeding 1000 tons per annum (4 tons per day) by captive manufacturing and utilization in plywood.
Obtaining Environment Clearance might be made mandatory for plywood producers, manufacturing inhouse resin even for the captive usageas NGT has given directions to MoEFCC to look into the matter and take appropriate measures for framing of requisite guidelines for plywood industries and to file action taken report in this regard within six months before learned Registrar General of this Tribunal.
In view of the above discussed facts and circumstances, environmental violations requiring remedial measures, relevant statutory provisions and environmental norms, HSPCB, Haryana State Pollution Control Board has recently been directed to review orders, granting consent to many plywood producers to whether the listed plywood industries are having resin plant and manufacturing the chemicals (Phenol Formaldehyde or Melamine Formaldehyde) for captive purpose or procuring the chemicals from outside for manufacturing the final product and in case any of the above said plywood industries is having resin plant and manufacturing chemicals for captive purpose, then to revoke consent and issue order for closure of the resin plant only till obtaining of environmental clearance for the same by the concerned Project Proponent as per provisions of the EIA Notification 2006.
Earlier, the matter was also considered in the meeting of Expert Committee for streamlining environmental clearance procedure including examination and recommendation on various technical issues like review of projects for its inclusion under EIA notification 2006, categorization of ‘Category B’ activities into ‘Category ‘B1’ & ‘B2’, wherein comments from (Central Pollution Control Board ) CPCB were also sought.
The process of manufacturing of resin may be listed under Category B2 and the procedure required for Category B2 may be followed for the production of resin not exceeding 1000 tons per annum (4 tons per day) by captive manufacturing and utilization in plywood".
As per EIA Notification 2006, manufacturing of Phenol Formaldehyde and Melamine Formaldehyde resin chemicals falls under Item 5 (0-Synthetic organic chemicals of Schedule of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 (as amended) and requires to obtain environmental clearance from SEIAA at State level if located in the industrial area or from MoEF&CC at Central level if project is located outside the industrial area, as the case may be.
Further, it is clarified that plywood / mica/ veneer manufacturing units having captive manufacturing of Phenol Formaldehyde and Melamine Formaldehyde resin chemicals fall in the ambit of EIA Notification 2006 as amended from time to time and attract the requirement of prior Environmental Clearance. However, if plywood / mica / veneer manufacturing units procure ready Phenol Formaldehyde and Melamine Formaldehyde resin chemicals from outside then such plywood / mica / veneer manufacturing units does not attract requirement of environmental clearance as per the provisions of EIA Notification 2006.
It was stated that all units manufacturing formaldehyde and its different resins (including melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde) without requisite EC as per ElA notification dated 14.9.2006 will be governed by the requirement of such EC. Respective State PCBs may take further action in accordance with law, subject to any contra order of Hon'ble Supreme Court.
Earlier PPCB also stated that all the standalone formaldehyde manufacturing units in the State of Punjab are being governed in accordance with the provisions of EIA notification, 2006 as amended from time to time. Further there are a number of plywood / mica/ veneer manufacturing units in the State, such units have installed glue manufacturing kettles in which urea, formaldehyde and other resins used as raw material for the manufacturing of glue for its in-house consumption.
It has also been reported in NGT order that in case of not filing of the report or further directions being necessary the Ld. Registrar General of this Tribunal shall take requisite steps for listing of the matter before the Bench on judicial side for further orders.
[Published in Ply Reporter's June 2025 Print Issue]