Chemicals

IREL, Kazakh firm to form JV to harness India's titanium potential

Indian Rare Earth Limited (IREL) has signed an agreement with a Kazakhstan-based company to develop the titanium value chain in India by harnessing the potential of rare-earth minerals in the coastal parts of the country. The joint venture between IREL (India) Limited and Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant JSC (UKTMP JSC) proposes to convert low titanium oxide (TiO2) ilmenite produced in Odisha to titanium slag, which is in great demand in the aerospace and defence sectors. "The setting up of this JV plant is expected to catalyse the establishment of chloride pigment/Ti Slag/sponge manufacturing industry, which has been hindered by non-availability of high TiO2 feedstock," Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question. Titanium is highly corrosion-resistant and remains unaffected by most acids, bases, environmental conditions, and has a low density paired with high strength. These qualities make

Bio-E3 policy to bring bio-revolution in India, says Jitendra Singh

The government's Bio-E3 policy marks a crucial step in positioning India as a global bio-economy leader and is set to spark a "bio-revolution" in India similar to the IT revolution in the western world, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Thursday. The BioE3 policy was formally launched last month and aims to facilitate sustainable and efficient utilisation of biological resources for innovation, scaling-up and bio-manufacturing of specialty chemicals, enzymes, bio-polymers, functional foods, smart proteins, veterinary products, precision bio-therapeutics and services. Speaking at the Global Bio-India Summit 2024, Singh said the policy marks a crucial step in positioning India as a global bio-economy leader. The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology also highlighted the importance of the Global Biotech platform, which brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including start ups, SMEs, large industries, research institutes, and international ...

Controlling chemical contamination in agri raw materials must: FSSAI

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Saturday asserted that controlling chemical contamination in agricultural raw materials is essential for advancing the food industry. FSSAI executive director Inoshi Sharma said enforcing Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in crops, fruits, and spices presents a significant challenge. Speaking at an event organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce here, she stressed the need for regular audits and the rejection of non-compliant produce at farm gates. Sharma also underscored the importance of educating buyers about the detrimental effects of excessive pesticide use, which can lead to contamination in raw materials. She announced plans to form a committee with representatives from various ministries and departments to address this issue. Furthermore, Sharma emphasised the necessity for accurate labeling and the avoidance of misleading claims by Food Business Organizations (FBOs). She advocated for a culture of 'Self-Compliance' amo

Godrej Industries Q1 results: Profit up 81% at Rs 322 cr on higher income

Business conglomerate Godrej Industries Ltd on Tuesday reported an 81 per cent increase in consolidated net profit at Rs 322.49 crore for the April-June quarter of 2024, on higher income. Its net profit stood at Rs 178.06 crore in the year-ago period. Total income increased to Rs 5,259.41 crore in the April-June period of 2024-25 fiscal, from Rs 4,893.40 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to a regulatory filing. Godrej Industries has presence in chemicals, estate management (real estate), finance & investments. On business performance of its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associate companies, Godrej Industries said the consolidated sales of Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) stood at Rs 3,311 crore in the first quarter of this fiscal. Godrej Properties' total Income grew to Rs 1,638 crore in April-June period of this fiscal, from Rs 1,315 crore in the year-ago period. Godrej Agrovet's total income declined to Rs 2,360 crore in the period under ..

Coromandel International Q1 results: Profit drops 37.1% to Rs 311 cr

The company's net profit after tax fell to Rs 311 crore ($37.05 million) for the April-June quarter from Rs 494 crore a year earlier

Thane chemical factory blast: Several dead, owners booked for culpable homicide

Reliance Industries picks Norwegian partner Nel ASA for electrolyser tech

The agreement provides RIL an exclusive license for Nel's alkaline electrolysers in India, manufacture for captive purposes globally

CRISIL SME Tracker: Equations getting better for chemicals MSMEs

Agrochemicals margins could normalise from the second quarter due to destocking of high-cost inventories

Dow sees quarterly sales below estimates over weak consumer durables demand

Retail sales in Germany, Europe's largest economy, fell unexpectedly in February, while the continent's manufacturing activity continued its decline during the first quarter

Europe is the saving grace for declining Indian exports in 2023

This was driven by demand for products such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, petroleum products, engineering products, machinery, as well as chemicals, government data showed

Govt initiates anti-dumping probe into import of chemical from China, Japan

India has initiated an anti-dumping probe into the import of a chemical used in the rubber industry from China and Japan following a complaint by a domestic player. The commerce ministry's investigation arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) is probing the alleged dumping of 'Insoluble Sulphur'. Oriental Carbon & Chemicals Ltd has filed an application before the authority to undertake a probe into the alleged dumping of the chemicals coming from these two countries. According to the DGTR's notification, the applicant has provided prima facie evidence with respect to the injury suffered by the domestic industry due to the dumped imports. "The authority hereby initiates an anti-dumping investigation into the alleged dumping and consequent material injury to the domestic industry," it said. If it is established that the dumping has caused material injury to domestic players, the DGTR would recommend the imposition of anti-dumping duty on imports. The finance ministry takes

Recovery in exports amid rising chemical prices to drive SRF stock

The demand-supply imbalance and margin pressures would be a key monitorable in the near to medium-term

Chemicals in gulal may have caused Mahakal temple fire, says Vijayvargiya

Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said the fire at the renowned Mahakal Temple in Ujjain on Monday morning may have been caused by chemicals in 'gulal', a coloured powder used in rituals and during Holi. The blaze, which took place in the 'garbha griha' (sanctum sanctorum) of the temple at 5:50am, left 14 priests and 'sevaks' (assistants) injured, eight of whom were shifted to the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences in Indore. "It seems all the injured at SAIMS are out of danger, But they will be under observation for the next 24 hours," Vijayvargiya told reporters after visiting the health facility. "Every year, Holi is celebrated in Mahakaleshwar Temple by throwing gulal. Maybe, some chemical in the gulal caused the fire. However, we are not going to stop the tradition of playing Holi with Lord Bholenath in Mahakaleshwar Temple," he said. It will be ensured that no chemical laced gulal is used next time, he added. The magistrate there has ordered an inquiry ..

Chemical linked to cancer found in acne treatment creams including Proactiv

For its acne research, Valisure tested 66 benzoyl peroxide products, including creams, lotions, gels and washes available either over the counter from major retailers or via prescription

Pidilite appoints Sudhanshu Vats as MD designate, Bharat Puri to step down

Leading adhesive and construction chemicals manufacturer Pidilite Industries on Thursday announced the appointment of Sudhanshu Vats as Managing Director designate. Incumbent Bharat Puri will step down in April next year after the completion of his tenure as Managing Director, according to a statement from Pidilite Industries. The board of Pidilite -- maker of Fevicol, Dr Fixit, Fevikwik and M-Seal -- at its meeting held on Thursday approved the appointment of Vats as Managing Director Designate, who is currently Deputy Managing Director of Pidilite Industries. Besides, its board also approved the appointment of Kavinder Singh as Executive Director and Joint Managing Director designate. "They will take charge as Managing Director and Joint Managing Director from April 2025, after the completion of the term of the current Managing Director, Bharat Puri," it said. Singh joins Pidilite Industries from Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Ltd (MHRIL), where he is currently the Managin

ADNOC's $30 bn chemicals deal with Austria's OMV stalls over disagreements

"We are in ongoing and open-ended negotiations and cannot comment further," OMV said in a statement

Manali Petrochemicals Q3 results: PAT at Rs 2.9 cr on cost of raw materials

Manali Petrochemicals Ltd has reported a dip in its consolidated profit after tax for the October-December 2023 quarter at Rs 2.94 crore, due to a continuous rise in the cost of raw materials. The Chennai-based petrochemicals manufacturing company registered a consolidated profit after tax at Rs 3.15 crore, during the corresponding quarter of last year. The consolidated net profits for the April-December 2023 period slipped to Rs 17.91 crore, as compared to Rs 51.11 crore registered a year ago. Total income on a consolidated basis during the quarter under review stood at Rs 212.47 crore, as against Rs 244.20 crore registered in the same period of last fiscal. The consolidated total income for the nine months ending December 31, 2023, declined to Rs 798.88 crore from Rs 866.37 crore registered during the corresponding period of the last financial year. "The continued dumping of imported materials at cheaper prices and the increase in raw materials cost have impacted our margins for .

Seeking balance between controlled, skewed pricing in favour of urea

Some in the industry fear a return of controls while others see positives in a govt circular, but the bigger issue is the skewed pricing in favour of urea

NTPC, Numaligarh Refinery ink pact to explore green chemical projects

NTPC Ltd on Tuesday said it has signed a non-binding agreement with Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) to explore partnership opportunities for green chemical projects. While NTPC Ltd is an entity under the Ministry of Power, Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) is a subsidiary of Oil India Ltd, engaged in the business of refining and marketing petroleum products. "NTPC and NRL to build a strategic partnership for green chemicals and green projects. NTPC signed a non-binding MoU with NRL for partnership opportunities in the proposed bamboo-based bio-refinery at NTPC Bongaigaon and other green projects," the statement said. The two CPSEs, through this MoU, intend to enhance their footprint in green chemicals and foray into sustainable solutions to advance the efforts towards achieving the nation's Net-Zero targets and be partners in the development of the northeast region, it said. NTPC is committed to achieving 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032 and being a major player in the

SRF Q3 results: Profit more than halved to Rs 253 crore on global demand

Consolidated net profit after tax fell to 2.53 billion rupees (about $30 million) for the three months ended Dec.31 from 5.11 billion rupees a year ago