Coromandel International Ltd, a leading phosphatic fertilizer player in the private sector, has commissioned its new Rs, 400 crore state-of-the-art sulphuric acid plant at its fertilizer complex in Visakhapatnam.

The new facility, which is the company’s third sulphuric acid unit, will have a production capacity of 1,650 metric tonnes per day. With this, Coromandel’s sulphuric acid capacity will increase to 11 lakh tonnes per annum from 6 lakh tonnes per annum, supporting its requirement towards downstream processes involving phosphoric acid and phosphatic fertilizer production.

Arun Alagappan, Executive Vice-Chairman of Coromandel, inaugurated the company's third Sulphuric Acid Plant at its fertiliser complex in Visakhapatnam.The plant is designed with Double Conversion and Double Absorption (DCDA) process with a 5 bed Catalyst Converter and an automated DCS system. Further, the plant is designed to meet one of the lowest emission standards globally. Steam generated from the Sulphuric acid plant will be used for captive power generation. The company had engaged best in class technology licensor MECS (Monsanto Enviro-Chem Systems) and detailed engineering provider TKIS (ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions) for executing the project.

In addition to the Sulphuric Acid, the company has setup a 6 MLD desalination plant to meet its additional water requirements. It has partnered with Veolia Water Technology and Solutions, a global leader in water and wastewater treatment industry.

Coromandel, with the production capacity of 3.5 million tonnes per annum of complex fertilisers, has been focusing on strengthening its backward integration capabilities across key raw materials and intermediates like Phosphoric acid, Sulphuric acid, and Rock phosphate. Last year, the company invested in Baobab Mining Corporation (BMCC), a mining company in Senegal.

Commenting on this new Sulphuric Acid plant, Alagappan, said: “It's a proud moment for all of us in Coromandel for successfully commissioning the new Sulphuric Acid Plant at Vishakapatnam in a record time of 18 months. This investment is in line with our Company's strategy of strengthening backward integration and ensuring supply security of key raw materials, promoting self-reliance in our operations.

“Furthering our sustainability initiatives, we have successfully set up a modern desalination plant, which will recycle sea water for usage in our operations.

India is the 3rd largest importer of Sulphuric acid globally, importing nearly 20 Lakh tonnes of acid per annum. With the commissioning of our new sulphuric acid plant, our nation's import dependence will go down by 25-30%. Our investment in sulphuric acid plant is in line with the vision of "Athmanirbhar Bharat", of our Honourable Prime Minister promoting self-reliance in manufacturing. Coromandel will continue to improve its raw material self-sufficiency and augment fertiliser availability for the farming community."

Speaking on the successful commissioning of the project within the scheduled time, Rajesh Kamath, CEO & MD, Thyssen Krupp Industrial Solutions (India), said, "The success of this project is a milestone for both the organizations and congratulations to all on the successful completion of the project. It is a matter of great pride for us as this project is one of the firsts for tkIS India."

On this occasion, Gopal Madabhushi, Business Leader, Veolia Water Technologies and Solutions shared: “We are very fortunate that Coromandel has provided us the opportunity to setup a 6 MLD Seawater Desalination plant at their Vizag facility.”