Tata Chemicals' board has approved a total investment of Rs. 910 crore to expand the manufacturing capacities of its soda ash plant in Mithapur and silica plant in Cuddalore.

The company will spend Rs. 135 crore to enhance dense soda ash capacity at its Mithapur plant, which currently operates at 1,091 kilo tonnes per annum with a 90 percent utilisation rate. Additionally, Rs. 775 crore has been sanctioned for expanding precipitated silica capacity at the Cuddalore facility, which presently produces 13.8 kilo tonnes per annum at an 86 percent utilisation rate.

The proposed additions include 350 kilo tonnes of dense soda ash annually at Mithapur over the next 24 months and 50 kilo tonnes of specialty silica annually at Cuddalore over the next 27 months.

This expansion move is a strategic step by Tata Chemicals to reinforce its leadership in both basic and specialty chemical segments and address evolving customer needs.

The company aims to leverage existing high capacity utilization rates and position itself to defend against both global and domestic rivals by increasing capacity and cost competitiveness.

These expansions will be financed through internal accruals and other options.