Page 149 - CW E-Magazine (28-11-2023)

Fertilisers Hydrocarbons

NEXT-GEN AGRI-INPUTS SHARP RECOVERY

Coromandel opens nanotechnology centre in Coimbatore India registers 24% jump in gas consumption

Murugappa Group-owned Coro- promote innovation and the use of tech- in September
mandel International has launched a nology. This is a major step towards
nanotechnology centre in Coimbatore strengthening India’s R&D capabilities India’s natural gas consumption which expanded by 34% and 78% respec- underscoring the role of natural gas in
for research and development around for the development of effi cient plant surged to a record high in September, tively, in response to heightened demand electricity production, while refi ning industries
nano-enabled agriculture inputs for nutrition and protection solutions”. its ninth month of consecutive growth, during India’s festive season. accounted for 8%. Import data within the
crop protection and nutrition. The with a 24% year-over-year increase to report also painted a picture of India’s
investment in the new centre remains Coromandel already has a research 5.8-bcm (billion cubic metres), the Gas The fertiliser sector was the most signi- reliance on foreign gas, with LNG imports
undisclosed. The centre – located in facility in Monash Academy, IIT- Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) fi cant consumer, accounting for 31% of from GECF countries witnessing a sub-
TICEL Bio Park – is Coromandel’s sixth Bombay. While the company is cur- said in a monthly gas market report. overall gas consumption. City gas distri- stantial year-over-year increase of 69.1%.
R&D facility and the second techno- ratory for all nano-products of Coro- rently staffi ng the new nanotech R&D bution followed at 19%, demonstrating The data also revealing a 12.6% rise in gas
logy centre focusing on development of mandel and will have the capability to centre with in-house staff, it also plans The spike was chiefl y driven by the the growing domestic use of natural gas. consumption for the year-to-date (YTD),
next-generation agri-inputs. develop a diverse range of bioproducts. to hire talent. power generation and refi nery sectors, Power generation’s share stood at 14%, compared to the previous year.

The centre will conduct research in Speaking on the occasion, Coro- Earlier this year, Coromandel MMSCM
the synthesis, characterisation, biosafety mandel’s Executive Vice Chairman introduced nano DAP, a nanotech-based 7 1700
testing, and evaluation of nano-pro- Mr. Arun Alagappan said, “The Coroman- fertiliser for crops. The company also 6 1500
ducts. Its primary aim is to contribute to del Nanotechnology Centre is a unique developed a nano urea formulation con- 5 1300
1100
the broader application of nano-inputs facility established to drive Coroman- taining 12 percent nitrogen (w/w), that bcm 900
in agriculture by disseminating scien- del’s efforts in nanotechnology in is currently undergoing extensive farmer 4 700
tifi c data and knowledge to farmers, agriculture. This will enable high-quality trials. Plans are underway for the esta- 3 500
scientists, and policymakers. Additionally, research in the nano space and is in line blishment of an integrated nano pro- 2 300
100
the centre will serve as the central labo- with various Government initiatives to ducts manufacturing facility in Kakinada. 1 -100
0 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023
RCF stresses balanced use of fertilisers at farmer- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Fertilizer Power City Gas Refi nery Petroch Others

focused event 2021 2022 2023 R-LNG Domestic Gas
Source: GECF’s monthly gas market report.
Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers fairs, crop demonstrations etc.,” the under Government of India, with the
Ltd. (RCF), along with other fertiliser Department of Fertilisers said. special participation of Ministry of ENERGY DIALOGUE
manufacturing companies, is participat- Information and Broadcasting, Ministry India, OPEC discuss availability, affordability in oil
ing in the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ The VBSY campaign was inau- of Agriculture and Department of Ferti-
(VBSY) – a nationwide campaign to gurated by Prime Minister Narendra lizers. This initiative has been star- energy markets
reach the benefi ts of fl agship schemes Modi on November 15, 2023 at Khunti ted from all the tribal districts of India
of the Government of India to the target district, Jharkhand. This campaign is and will be continued till 24th January, The 6th high-level meeting of the which are necessary in ensuring the mental global energy demand during
benefi ciaries. being implemented by various ministries 2024 all across India. India-OPEC Energy Dialogue, which stability of energy markets,” said the the same period. During the delibera-
took place in Vienna recently, focussed Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas tions, Mr. Puri highlighted that, as the
In the agriculture sector, important NFL conducts demonstrations to edu- on ensuring availability, affordability, (MoPNG) said in a statement. The two third-largest energy consumer, crude
information is being given regarding and sustainability of supplies in the oil sides discussed the short-, medium- oil importer and the fourth-largest global
the balanced use of fertilisers to main- cate farmers about benefi ts of drones and energy markets. The meeting was and long-term outlook for the industry, refi ner, close ties between India and
tain the proper health of the soil. The led by oil minister Mr. Hardeep Singh and recognised the important role of OPEC are not only essential but also
programme also stresses avoiding the In a bid to educate farmers about tions in tribal districts of Jammu and Puri and OPEC Secretary General India in global economic growth and natural.
excess use of chemical fertilisers, and the use of drones and its benefi ts in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar Mr. Haitham Al Ghais. energy demand, it added. The sides
spraying of nano-urea, nano-DAP and the fi eld of agriculture, the National and West Bengal, to showcase the noted that the World Oil Outlook 2023, “The relationship between India
micronutrients through advanced drone Fertilizers Ltd. (NFL) is carrying out application of liquid fertilisers to the “The open and candid discussions which forecasted that India would be and OPEC will be pivotal in the years
technology. “RCF is trying to create demonstrations in several states as farmers using these drones. The tech- at the meeting focussed on key issues the fastest-growing major developing to come, as the world seeks to foster
awareness among the farmers’ commu- part of the government’s Viksit Bharat nology not only saves labour, but also related to oil and energy markets, with economy, averaging long-term growth global energy security, deliver energy
nity by conducting farmers meeting, Sankalp Yatra (VBSY) campaign. promotes judicious and safe use of a specifi c emphasis on ensuring avail- of 6.1 percent between 2022-2045 and affordability and reduce emissions,”
soil testing, agricultural exhibitions and The company organised demonstra- fertilisers. ability, affordability and sustainability, to account for over 28 percent of incre- the OPEC Secretary General said.

148 Chemical Weekly November 28 2023 Chemical Weekly November 28, 2023 149

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