Page 178 - CW E-Magazine (16-4-2024)

News from Abroad AMAI Conference

CROP PROTECTION KNOWLEDGE SHARING
Rainbow Agro to have manufacturing footprint in US Chlor-alkali industry experts discuss corrosion

Chinese crop protection firm, Rain- challenges and mitigation measures
bow Agro, has announced an expansion
to the company’s global manufacturing orrosion, which can be defi ned
footprint with operations near Houston, as the deterioration of materi-
Texas (USA). This facility joins the Cals due to chemical or electro-
company’s network of facilities in chemical reactions with the environ-
Spain, Argentina, and China. ment, is a major challenge for chemical
processing plants, as it can affect the
The Houston facility provides for- safety, performance, and cost of opera-
mulation and automated packaging tions.
capability for herbicide products and
was built in 2022 by Apex Ag Chem. Representatives from the chlor-
alkali industry – a sector for which corro-
“The operations and team in Houston sion is an inherent challenge – recently
represent Rainbow’s first step towards gathered in Ahmedabad for sharing
building an efficient manufacturing and experiences and learnings in addressing
supply chain platform in North America,” this problem. The platform was a con-
said Mr. Tom Lyons, General Manager, include additional automation for pro- Rainbow Argentina purchased another ference organised by the Alkali Manu-
Rainbow North America. duction efficiency. six hectares of land in the Buenos facturers Association of India (AMAI)
Aires Ezeiza Industrial Park to build a on the theme of ‘Corrosion challenges
Rainbow Agro said it will com- In November 2022, Rainbow new factory. Rainbow Argentina will and advancement in corrosion combat- From L to R: Mr. P. N. Ojha Mr. Aditya Shriram, Mr. Ajay Virmani
mence an expansion of the facility later announced the acquisition of 100% stake have two preparation processing plants, ing materials’, which witnessed partici- While maintenance and replacement ties to keep pace with growing demand.
this year, which will increase and in Spanish agrochemical company, including Green Crop, which it con- pation of over 200 delegates from 75+ costs are signifi cant, risks to human The caustic soda capacity in the country
double size of the operation area and Exclusivas Sarabia S.A. In April 2023, trolled in 2015. organisations from India and overseas. health and life, and to the environment is expected to increase from approxi-
are incalculable,” added Mr. Virmani. mately 56-ltpa (lakh tonnes per annum)
Sumitomo Chemical to sell Pace International mates, every year, corrosion costs India to 77-ltpa in the next fi ve years, while
“As per various studies and esti-
soda ash capacity is expected to grow to
to AgroFresh Solutions about 4% of its GDP. The maintenance 57-ltpa from 44-ltpa in the same period.
and replacement of assets affected by
corrosion are major deterrents to the Every facet of alkali manufactur-
Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical and public health, and forest health mar- growth of our economy. It is also esti- ing facility is prone to corrosion – be
its US-based bio-based crop protection kets. mated that corrosion leads to losses the civil structures, plant & machinery,
products subsidiary, Valent BioScien- worth $100-bn annually in India,” said piping, connections & valves, instru-
ces, have announced the sale of Pace “We are excited about this future Mr. Ajay Virmani, President, AMAI, mentation, motors & pumps, electrical
International to AgroFresh Solutions collaboration and the benefits it can and Managing Director, Lords Chloro installations, storage vessels & contain-
for an undisclosed amount. bring to the crop and food protection Alkali Ltd., after inaugurating the con- ments, power plant, utilities, etc. Cor-
industry. Combining Valent BioSci- ference. rosion in each of these areas is unique
Pace International and AgroFresh ences’ expertise in the development of and generally different from the others.
Solutions are involved in providing sustainable bio-rational solutions for “Specifi cally for alkali industry, The implications and impacts are also
sustainable food preservation and waste food crops with AgroFresh’s expanding corrosion poses a signifi cant challenge signifi cantly different from each other,
reduction solutions for fresh produce Sumitomo Chemical and Valent global reach and post-harvest expertise as both raw materials (salt) and the Mr. Ajay Virmani Mr. Virmani noted.
industry. As a result of the acquisition BioSciences plan to develop a strate- will help accelerate the launch of the goods produced (caustic soda, chlorine, The Indian chlor-alkali industry
of Pace by AgroFresh, the combined gic research collaboration with Agro- next generation of sustainable post-har- hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlo- has witnessed healthy growth in recent Mr. Aditya Shriram, Vice President,
platform will provide its customers Fresh to bring innovative post-harvest vest solutions for the long-term benefit rite, etc.) are highly corrosive, affecting years. The compounded annual growth AMAI, and Deputy Managing Director,
with a broader portfolio of post-harvest solutions to the market. Valent BioSci- of our customers, end users, and the plant assets and operations. Corrosion for the last fi ve years is around 7% for DCM Shriram Ltd., also stated that cor-
products, services, technologies, and ences offers bio-rational products and environment,” said Mr. Salman Mir, Presi- affects infrastructure and equipment, caustic and 3% for soda ash. The indus- rosion is a huge challenge – not only
digital solutions. technologies used in the agriculture, dent and CEO of Valent BioSciences. adding to the burden of investments. try continues to invest, adding capaci- fi nancially, but also in terms of safety –

178 Chemical Weekly April 16, 2024 Chemical Weekly April 16, 2024 179

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