Tata Chemicals, currently in the midst of a restructuring exercise, has decided that it will continue with the fertiliser and salt businesses.
At the same time, the detergents business will be put on the block immediately and a final decision on the cement division will be taken shortly.
Prasad Menon, the company's managing director, said: "We had been reviewing our business portfolios. We hope to conclude the sale of the detergents business within the next three to four months." He said the company will soon appoint a merchant banker to oversee the sale process.
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"We are also evaluating what to do with the cement division. It is not a very easy decision as the unit is also a captive consumer of products of some of the other divisions. We hope to take a decision on the cement unit soon," Menon said.
The company has a four-lakh tonne mini-cement unit in Gujarat which has been affected by declining realisations.
With the Tata group having divested all its cement interests, it no longer makes sense for the company to continue with a small unit, analysts said.
They also said the company may be hard pressed to find a buyer for the detergents business as its Shudh brand has a national market share of only one per cent and has a presence in some of the eastern India markets like Orissa.
"Only companies which see the eastern markets as focus areas are likely to bid," they added.
Menon also said the group will continue with the urea ammonia business despite the government's adverse policy decisions. "The group sees a good future in the business, and feels it has good long-term prospects," he added.
He also ruled out the possibility of transferring the Tata Salt brand to Tata Tea. "It is a strong business for Tata Chemicals and there is no reason why it should be transferred to any other company," he added.