Page 134 - CW E-Magazine (25-6-2024)

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SAFER TRANSPORTATION

Reliance commences pipeline supplies of EO

to Sterling Auxiliaries

In a landmark event for the trans- safety considerations. However, EO is tions, lubricants, paint solvents and
portation of ethylene oxide (EO) in transported through specially designed plasticisers);
India, the fi rst supplies of this hazardous custom-built railcars. These are double-  Glycol ethers (used in brake fl uids, deter-
chemical by pipeline have commenced walled and fi tted with satellite tracking gents and paint and lacquer solvents);
from the Dahej EO plant of Reliance equipment as per regulations.  Ethanolamines (used in soaps, deter-
Industries Ltd. (RIL), to the adjacent gents, natural gas purifi cation and
site of Sterling Auxiliaries Ltd., a lead- In India, EO is allowed to be textile fi nishing); and
ing supplier of EO derivatives and transported by road and is shipped in  Ethoxylated products of starches and

other chemicals. EO transportation by 7.5/16-tonnes pressurised road tankers. fatty alcohols (used in detergents, sur-
pipeline has been talked about for some RIL, the sole merchant supplier of EO, factants, emulsifi ers and dispersants).
time, and, despite the delays this is a has optimised supplies from its three
milestone in the transportation of EO, production centres to minimise trans- India does have extensive pipeline
which is currently only transported by portation distance. As a result, EOD grids for ferrying natural gas, crude oil,
road, mostly in western India. The bene- producers in Maharashtra are mainly and refi ned petroleum products (especi-
fi ts in terms of safety are substantial. supplied from its Nagothane (Maha- ally LPG), but pipelines for chemicals
rashtra) EO plant; while EO consumers are few. But their safe operations for
The pipeline supply that has now in Gujarat receive supplies from Dahej several decades should encourage plan-
commenced is across the road between and Hazira. ners to permit more to be built. About
the two nearby sites, and is via an under- four years ago, rules were framed and
ground pipe within a pipe, with the outer Purifi ed EO is used in the produc- permission granted for pipelines to
pipe carrying nitrogen and the inner one, tion of: transport chlorine gas (not chlorine liq-
EO. In most developed countries, trans-  Poly(ethylene) glycols (used in uid) with the caveat that it be restricted
port of EO in road tankers is banned due cosmetics, pharmaceutical prepara- within industrial estates.

RAISING FUNDS
Godavari Biorefi neries moves ahead on IPO plans

Godavari Biorefi neries, a leading general corporate purposes. The Offer (3-Methyl-3-Penten-2-One) worldwide
manufacturer of ethanol-based chemi- for Sale (OFS) includes up to 4,926,983 in terms of installed capacity. It is one
cals, has fi led its Draft Red Herring equity shares by Mandala Capital AG of only two manufacturers of natural
Prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities Ltd., up to 500,000 equity shares by 1,3-butylene glycol and the only com-
and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Somaiya Agencies Pvt. Ltd., up to 200,000 pany in India to manufacture bioethyl
to raise funds through an initial public equity shares by Samir Shantilal acetate, according to a Frost & Sullivan
offering (IPO). The company is planning Somaiya, up to 200,000 equity shares Report. The company has established
fresh issue of equity shares aggregating by Lakshmiwadi Mines and Minerals India’s fi rst bio-based EVE (Ethyl
up to Rs. 325-crore and an offer for sale Pvt. Ltd., up to 300,000 equity shares by Vinyl Ethers) manufacturing facility
of up to 65,26,983 equity shares of the Filmedia Communication Systems Pvt. as of March 31, 2024, according to the
face value of Rs. 10 each. Ltd., and up to 100,000 equity shares report. Godavari Biorefi neries’ diverse
by Somaiya Properties and Investments portfolio comprises bio-based chemi-
The company plans to utilise the net Pvt. Ltd. cals, sugar, different grades of ethanol
proceeds from the fresh issue to fund and power. Its products fi nd application
the repayment or pre-payment, in full As of March 31, 2024, the company in a range of industries such as food,
or in part, of certain outstanding borro- has the largest integrated bio-refi nery beverages, pharmaceuticals, fl avours &
wings amounting to Rs. 240-crore. in India in terms of installed capacity fragrances, power, fuel, personal care
The remaining amount will be used for and is the largest manufacturer of MPO and cosmetics.

134 Chemical Weekly June 25, 2024

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