Page 132 - CW E-Magazine (18-6-2024)

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of a technology for a fi ne chemical – di- business environment. In the manufac- Focus on rural markets
phenyl methane phosphonate – for an ture of monocrotophos – an agrochemi- Dr. Prasad Kokil, Sanjay Group,
US-based customer, based on skeletal cal no longer manufactured by UPL – a highlighted the technical contribu-
information from the client. The product switch was made from a solvent-based tions and motivation provided by Prof.
was developed from the basic chemistry to a water-based process, while for Joshi in the development of forced
stage via a two-stage process that used acephate – another agrochemical – yield draft biomass-based cookers for rural
a custom designed distillation column improvements led to reduced costs of a households. Thanks to his efforts, the
designed by Prof. Joshi and produced key intermediate needed. effi ciencies of these stoves could be
on-spec product of 99.9% purity from increased from 38% to 52%, only slightly
the fi rst batch onwards. “Prof. Joshi was instrumental in the below the stated goal of 60%.
creation of a Division within the company
Likewise, an improved process for called Max-Pro, focussed on maximising Other socially relevant projects that
cypermethrin, developed by Prof. Joshi, effi ciencies in manufacturing, and this the Sanjay Group is working upon include
enabled a signifi cant improvement in has become a practice now in many other milk thickening systems, sanitary pad
profi tability in a highly competitive industries as well,” Dr. Uppara noted. incinerator, and a biomass pyrolysis unit.

BUSINESS CONSTRAINT
Report highlights compliance pressure on chemical

manufacturers
The complexity of compliance and tions and approvals, including 10 certifi - oriented units, gramme panchayats, spe-

challenges faced by entrepreneurs and cates/approvals under the Maharashtra cial economic zones, etc.), quantity and
employers in the Indian chemical in- Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. severity of chemicals manufactured, and
dustry has been highlighted in a new use of specifi c equipment. Notifying the
report by TeamLease Regtech, a lead- Mr. Rishi Agrawal, CEO and Co- relevant authority to change threshold
ing regulatory technology (regtech) Founder, TeamLease RegTech said, quantities is also diffi cult. Most Indian
solutions company. “The chemical industry is a key driver chemical companies struggle to track
of economic growth. However, the compliance with so many regulations,
The report titled ‘Simplifying com- complexities around compliance are a the report noted.
pliance management for the chemical signifi cant binding constraint to busi-
industry’ also covers the present regula- ness growth. A typical chemical manu- The report reveals that an enterprise
tory framework and suggests actionable facturing company deals with 635 must obtain 72 licenses across Union,
recommendations for enterprises and unique and over 1,545 total compliance State, and Municipal/Local levels. At the
policymakers. A single entity, chemical obligations in a year. These compliances manufacturing unit level, labour compli-
manufacturing enterprise with a single include at least 72 different types of ances account for ~53% (334), commer-
manufacturing unit operating in Maha- licenses, permissions and registrations. cial compliances make up more than 21%
rashtra faces 635 unique obligations, of It is here that digital compliance solu- (136), and EHS constitutes over 15% (98)
which 299 (47.1%) are at the union level, tions and workfl ows can play a critical of the unique obligations. Once the fre-
332 (52.3%) are at the state level, and 4 role in ensuring smooth compliance quency of these compliances is factored
(0.6%) are at the municipal level. How- functioning within the organisation”. in, it is revealed that such a business must
ever, this fi gure infl ates to 1,545 when the cater to up to 1,545 obligations in a year.
frequency of these obligations is factored Due to the nature of the industry, These obligations rise exponentially as
in. For instance, there are 53 monthly, 93 companies must comply with the Chemi- soon as the business increases its scale of
quarterly, and 48 half-yearly compliance cal Weapons Convention Act, 2000 and operations and expands its geographical
requirements, the report revealed. The Chemical Weapons Convention Rules, footprint. 53 regulations need to be com-
company must also obtain 72 licenses, 2016, Essential Commodities Act, 1955, plied with monthly, while 93 must be dealt
permissions, and approvals under 52 and Insecticides Act, 1968 and Rules, with in every quarter. The report concludes
different Acts. Even before starting con- 1971, among other acts. Compliance with recommendations for compliance
struction of the site, the corporation must also depends on the location of manu- reforms that can improve the ease of doing
also complete over 60 one-time registra- facturing units (industrial areas, export- business.

132 Chemical Weekly June 18, 2024

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