Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, M.K. Alagiri is expected to kick-start the resumption of operations in Southern Petro Chemical industries Corporation (SPIC), Tuticorin, in September, A.C. Muthiah, Chairman, SPIC, said here on Sunday.
The resumption of operations will adequately meet the demands of the farmers, who largely depend on urea and fertilizers. Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals and Fertilizers limited and Heavy Water Plant, a consortium of SPIC will also be made fully operational as a result.
Earlier, S. Krishnan, Secretary (Fertilizers), inaugurated a new Single Super Phosphate production plant (SSP) on the SPIC premises in the presence of Dr. Muthiah and its Vice President R. Muthu Manohar. It has been established at an estimated cost of Rs.3.6 crore.
The production of urea (nitrogenous fertilizer) and Di–Ammonium phosphate (complex fertilizer) would commence from the third week of September and by first week of October, the production would get in to full swing. Mr. Alagiri had made great strides and he was instrumental in resuming the operations here. The State government also extended all its support for the re-functioning of SPIC, he said while addressing a press conference. Referring to the capacity of production per annum, he said urea would achieve 6.5 lakh tons, DAP – 4.5 lakh tons, SSP – 1 lakh tons and Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash (NPK) – 2 lakh tons. After production, 60 per cent of urea would be given for consumption in Tamil Nadu. As for DAP and SSP, the percentage of consumption would be 75 and 100, respectively.
Meanwhile, he said that the SPIC would set up a 550 mega watt power plant near Tuticorin Port Trust and the environmental clearance for establishing the plant was accorded. The capacity of the power plant would also be increased to 1000 MW. It would be commissioned in three years. Zinc sulphate and micro nutrients would be manufactured here in due course, he added.
Since naphtha, the key raw material for production of urea was expensive, establishment of gas pipeline for industries, was the need of the hour. The industry was fully equipped with augmenting such facilities but awaiting the connectivity. Due to a technical glitch in turbine, the scheduled resumption of the industries by Mr. Alagiri on May 1, was delayed, he said on a query.
Taking pride in the stand of SPIC, he added that there was no lay off even though the industry had stopped production. Hundred new recruits would be taken for production, he added.
