Sterlite Technologies Ltd (STL), a global provider of optical and digital network solutions, has taken a significant step towards sustainable manufacturing by partnering with Hygenco to set up Maharashtra’s first green hydrogen and oxygen production unit dedicated to optical fibre production. Located in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, this new facility will supply green hydrogen and oxygen to STL’s glass preform plant, making STL one of the first optical fibre manufacturers worldwide to operate with 100% green hydrogen in its manufacturing process. Hygenco will construct, own, and manage the facility under a 20-year agreement, ensuring long-term supply and operational viability.
Rahul Puri, CEO of STL’s Optical Networking business, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that the use of green hydrogen in glass preform manufacturing marks a significant advancement in reducing the environmental footprint of optical fibre production. He highlighted that this project reflects STL’s commitment to sustainable growth and its broader goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2030. Amit Bansal, CEO of Hygenco, echoed this sentiment, noting that this collaboration showcases green hydrogen’s transformative potential for decarbonizing large-scale industrial operations and helping India move toward cleaner energy solutions.
STL’s facility in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar is built to Industry 4.0 standards and produces semiconductor-grade glass preforms essential for optical fibre production. In the fibre manufacturing process, hydrogen and oxygen serve as critical inputs in blast furnaces that convert silica into glass. With the integration of green hydrogen, STL expects to cut annual carbon emissions by approximately 30%. The plant also features advanced systems for automated energy management, real-time monitoring, and safety enhancements to boost efficiency and reliability. STL is a global technology company specializing in end-to-end solutions for building 5G, fibre-to-the-home (FTTx), rural broadband, enterprise, and data centre networks.
Hygenco focuses on the development of large-scale green hydrogen and green ammonia infrastructure. The company plans to invest USD 2.5 billion over the next three years, aiming to install 10 GW of clean energy assets by 2030.
