GNFC and EcoPhos have signed a Memorandum of Understanding
Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC), India and EcoPhos s.a. Belgium join hands for manufacturing Di-Calcium Phosphate (DCP).
GNFC and EcoPhos have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for setting up a 150,000 MT per Annum Animal Feed grade Di-Calcium Phosphate (DCP) plant at GNFC TDI Dahej site, Gujarat, India in a Joint Venture.
The memorandum was signed by Shri V. S. Sirohi, Executive Director - GNFC and Mr. Mohamed Takhim, Chief Executive Officer of EcoPhos s.a. Belgium in the presence of Dr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta, IAS, Managing Director - GNFC and Shri L. Chuaungo, IAS, Principal Secretary - Energy and Petrochemical Department, Government of Gujarat on 30th August 2014 at Gandhinagar, India.
The co-operation is to incorporate a Joint Venture (JV) Company for manufacturing DCP. EcoPhos will have majority stake in the proposed JV Company. The DCP JV plant will be set up based on eco friendly, energy efficient and renowned world class technology provided by EcoPhos, utilizing Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) and Low grade Rock Phosphate as feed stock.
GNFC will provide HCl, utilities and other required services and EcoPhos will provide License, Engineering services and proprietary equipments to the proposed JV Company.
GNFC Managing Director Dr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta, IAS states that ″this future JV proves once again GNFC´s endeavour to apply world class eco-friendly high-tech technologies in their production sites″
EcoPhos will market the output of the JV´s production site at Dahej. According to EcoPhos´ CEO and founder Mohamed Takhim, ″this is a substantial step in the realization of EcoPhos″ target to become the global market and cost leader in animal feed phosphates through its Animal Feed division″
French chemicals firm Arkema to invest Rs 100 cr in resins facility in India
French specialty chemicals major Arkema plans to invest $ 15 million (approximately Rs 100 crore) for setting up a new polyester powder resin manufacturing facility, the first of its kind in India, on its existing resin platform in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The project, targeted for completion in 2018, includes a new manufacturing unit and a dedicated new laboratory to provide both application development and technical support. The new facility will support customers in the fast growing powder coating market.
“Offering increasingly environmental-friendly solutions with low-VOC (volatile organic compound) content, resins for powder coatings is an important and growing part of our product portfolio. This new facility will complement our existing manufacturing sites in Europe and North America, and underpins our commitment to meet our customers’ needs wherever they operate around the world,” said Richard Jenkins, global group president for the coating resins business, Arkema.
The new facility will produce polyester powder resins marketed under the Reafree trade name. The principal use for polyester powder coatings includes a wide range of industrial coatings along with automotive and architectural applications.
This investment supports Arkema’s ambition to expanding its geographical coverage of its environmentally friendly, low-VOC coating resins portfolio, including powder resins, waterborne resins, UV photocure and high solid solutions, as well as high performance coating additives.
Arkema’s manufacturing site in Navi Mumbai also produces alkyd, acrylic solutions and oil-free polyester resins, as well as reactive polyamide resins. The investment in upgrading the capabilities of its Indian production facility is part of the ongoing commitment of the group to remain a leading and global supplier to the coating industry while at the same time providing customers with all of the benefits of cutting edge technology, locally manufactured with strong technical support.
Arkema, which recorded annual sales of Euro 7.7 billion in 2015, is one of the leading global suppliers of high-performance materials, industrial specialties and coating solutions. With research centres in North America, France and Asia, the company concentrates on advances in bio-based products, new energies, water management, electronic solutions, lightweight materials and design, home efficiency and insulation.
Australia's Nufarm off-loads stake in Excel Crop Care to Sumitomo Chemical
Australian agrochemicals company Nufarm has sold its 14.69 percent stake in Excel Crop Care to Sumitomo Chemical for AUD 39.5 million (about Rs 200 crores). “As advised to the market on 21 September, Nufarm participated in an open market offer from Sumitomo, to sell our interest in Excel Crop Care. On 3 October, Nufarm sold 100% of its interest in Excel Crop Care,” said Nufarma in a press statement.
In June this year, Sumitomo Chemical acquired 45 percent stake in Excel Crop Care Ltd (ECCL), the Mumbai-headquartered agrochemicals company, from the Shroff family (the founder and promoter group of ECCL) and other financial investors for about Rs 624. While the Shroff family off-loaded its 25 percent stake, Sumitomo Chemical bought the remaining 20 percent stake in Excel Crop Care from Ratnabali Group.
Acquisition of Excel Crop Care, which is the 5th largest in revenue among agrochemicals companies in India, will help Japanese firm to expand and enhance its agrochemicals business in India.
India inks pact with ISA for exploration of polymetallic sulphides
Government of India yesterday signed a 15-year contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for exploration of polymetallic sulphides (PMS) in Indian Ocean. The contract was signed by Dr M Rajeevan, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), and Dr Nii Allotey Odunton, secretary general, ISA. The ISA is an institution set up under the Convention on Law of the Sea to which India is a party.
The ISA earlier approved an application submitted by the Ministry of Earth Sciences for allotment of 10,000 sq km area along with 15-year plan of work for exploration of PMS along Central Indian Ridge (CIR) and Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) region of the Indian Ocean.
Polymetallic sulphides - containing iron, copper, zinc, silver, gold and platinum in variable constitutions - are precipitates of hot fluids from upwelling hot magma from deep interior of the oceanic crust, discharged through mineralised chimneys. PMS in the Ocean Ridges have attracted worldwide attention for their long term commercial as well as strategic values.
By signing the 15-year contract, India’s exclusive rights for exploration of PMS in the allotted area in the Indian Ocean will be formalised. Further, it will enhance India’s presence in the Indian Ocean where other players like China, Korea and Germany are active.
The program will be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences with the participation from various national institutes and research laboratories & organisations.