Phillips Carbon Black Ltd (PCBL), which produces a key ingredient for tyre makers, has announced that its greenfield plant in Ennore, Tamil Nadu is expected to be commissioned by 2023. Being developed with an estimated investment of over Rs 600 crore, PCBL’s greenfield project of about 1,50,000 tonne for manufacture of various grades of carbon black and 25 MW of co-generation power over 60 acre of land is progressing strategically, the company said in its stock exchange filing. The plant will focus on manufacturing rubber black which is used in tyres and also on speciaity black.

The RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company’s  additional 32,000 tonne capacity at Palej in Gujarat is expected to be commissioned by FY21. This consists of two lines, both for specialty black and also a seven MW co-generation power plant.

The Palej Unit was acquired from Gujarat Carbon & Industries Limited, Baroda in November 1996. The merger came into effect from 1st April 1997 with the twin objectives of increasing volumes and proximity to the key customers.At the time of acquisition, the plant had a capacity of 25000 MTPA. After a capacity expansion in 2004, the plant is currently running three lines of production with a total production capacity of 1,10,250 MTPA. The plant also has the capability of producing Carbon black for Specialty applications such as plastics, inks, paints, coatings etc.

Apart from this, the seven MW co-generation power plant in Kochi, Kerala, is expected to be commissioned by 2021.

The company’s Sushila Goenka R&D Centre in India and Sushila Goenka Innovation Centre in Belgium contribute to developing a diversified product-mix. The Sushila Goenka R&D Centre at Palej unit, catalyzes strategic innovations for customized product portfolio, which spans across spectrum of ‘Orient Black’ (Rubber Black) and ‘Royale Black’ (Specialty Black) applications. Its specialty black customers include prominent names, globally. The company meets specific end-requirements across rubber, plastics, coatings, inks, and other niche products. The company has four patents and the number is ever growing.

Initially set up in collaboration with a US company, Phillips Petroleum, PCBL has a production capacity of 5,71,000 MT per annum and a dedicated capacity for specialty black of 40000 MT.