MG (Morris Garages), a British automobile company, has achieved a significant milestone in India for environmental protection on World Environment Day. Through the thoughtful use of water-based paints in the repainting processes of over 1.72 lakh MG vehicles over the past five years across its service centres in India, the company has saved over 30,000 kilogram of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from being released into the atmosphere.
The water-based paints process emits only 10gm of VOCs per litre of water compared to the 400gm released by solvent-based paints, thereby significantly reducing 390gm of harmful VOCs on each vehicle during repainting. MG India has been using water-based paint since the start of its India operations in 2019. By embracing this sustainable approach, MG India has demonstrated its responsibility towards the environment and ensured the well-being of its customers and the communities it operates in.
Commenting on this achievement, Satinder Singh Bajwa, Chief Commercial Officer of MG India, said, “At MG, we believe and work in a manner that echoes the fact that sustainability is an integral part of our business. We are delighted to have saved 30,000 kg of VOCs through the mindful adoption of water-based paints at all our service centres in the country. This milestone highlights our dedication to reducing our environmental impact and showcases our commitment to achieve our net-zero target and create a greener future for generations to come. I hope that the aftersales market increasingly adopts the use of water-based paints for painting work, ensuring a more effective way to care for the sensitive state of our environment.”
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemical compounds that easily vaporise at room temperature. While they are commonly found in various products such as paints and cleaning agents, their release into the atmosphere can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. VOCs contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of smog, which can lead to respiratory issues and exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma. Additionally, VOCs can react with other pollutants in the atmosphere, leading to the formation of harmful air pollutants and contributing to climate change.
Furthermore, the MG Dry Wash (Enviro Wash) initiative promotes dry car washing, encouraging people to save up to 14 lakh litres of water per month. These initiatives and the adoption of water-based paints highlight MG Motor India's commitment to environmental sustainability, aligning with the global celebration of World Environment Day and underscoring the company's dedication to a greener future.