Page 136 - CW E-Magazine (12-11-2024)

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Dr. Partha Maitra
Mr. Sumit Basu integration, next generation catalyst for
in the petrochemicals being imported in expected to come up by 2030. Apart from maximum effi ciency, electrifi cation and
huge quantities,” he said. this, tentative investments of Rs. 3.5-4 lakh- circularity.
crores ($42-45 bn) involve projects still on
The industry, valued at $60-bn, is the drawing board, and which could add He gave specifi c examples including
expected to grow to $360-bn by 2040. Key about 25-mt by 2040,” Mr. Basu informed, PVC’s potential for renewable power con-
opportunities include emerging sectors noting that it could help in achieving self- version and DME’s sustainability advan-
like renewables, EVs, and electronics, suffi ciency in petrochemicals. tages over methanol. His fi nal takeaway
which require specialised plastics. Chal- stressed the shift towards electrochemistry,
lenges facing the Indian petrochemicals Balancing sustainability and competi- catalytic reactions, and maximising plastic
industry include high feedstock costs, tiveness waste recycling.
technology dependence, and high capital Dr. Partha Maitra, President – Stra-
expenses. Government support through tegy & Initiatives, Reliance Industries Ltd. Driving green transformation
PLI schemes and infrastructure develop- (RIL) focused on balancing sustainability Mr. Alexander Gerding, Managing
ment is crucial for sustainable growth, he and competitiveness in the chemical Director – BASF India & Head of BASF
said. industry. Group Companies in India, spoke about
BASF’s initiatives to enable the green
Mr. Basu discussed growth opportuni- “The goal is to maximise both sustain- transformation of the chemical industry.
ties in carbon value streams including in ability and competitiveness in the future,
C1 (formaldehyde, acetic acid), C2 (alpha especially in the context of lowering “BASF has made signifi cant progress
olefi ns), C3 (propylene oxide, propylene carbon intensity,” he said. by procuring renewable energy to power
glycol, acrylic acid), C4 (styrene), etc. our plants, by using alternative raw materi-
“We have these in our refi nery streams, “We are sequestering the fossil carbon als in selected value chains and by piloting
but it is either being fl ared, or put into the in chemicals and polymers. But the mak- new technologies to add sustainability
LPG and gasoline streams or being used ing of these chemicals involves very large features to our products. This helps us to
as a fuel. It is high time we identify these scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, which offer products with reduced or even net-zero
growth opportunities as the technologies need to be eliminated for the future net product carbon footprint (PCF) across our
are available for manufacturing these zero goals. So, we have to not only reduce portfolio,” he said.
products,” he said. emissions, but also take CO out of the
2
atmosphere and use it in chemicals,” he said. “Our ambition goes beyond making
“India is investing in petrochemicals to BASF green. We will also enable the
the tune of about Rs. 3 lakh-crores ($36-bn), He identifi ed the fi ve drivers of chemi- green transformation of our customers’
which corresponds to about 18-mt. cal industry margins and competitiveness businesses. This will be the key driver
These are announced projects, which are as feed, process with intensifi cation and for our profi table growth,” he added.

136 Chemical Weekly November 12, 2024

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