Chemical industries in India are fast growing and diversifying. It is broadly classified into Bulk chemicals, Specialty chemicals, Agrochemicals, Petrochemicals, Polymers and Fertilizers. They contribute to 3% of GDP approximately. It is the third largest in Asia and holds the 12th position in the world in terms of size. India’s proximity to the Middle East, the world’s source of petrochemicals feedstock, makes for economies of scale. Both large-scale and small-scale companies are dominating the market.
The specialty chemicals constitute 18% of total chemicals and petrochemicals market in India.The leading chemical companies in India are delivering top-notch and safe products, while maintaining quality standards. One such prominent name among the foremost Indian chemical companies is Amines and Plasticizers Ltd. (APL).
Incorporated in the year 1973 as a public limited company, it has its corporate office in Mumbai and manufacturing facilities in Navi Mumbai. APL is the pioneer and one of the largest producers of Ethanolamines, Alkyl alkanolamines, EO/PO Derivatives and Morpholine derivatives like NMMO 50% and Gas Treating solvents in India.
APL has also pioneered the manufacturing of morpholines and alkyl morpholines in India. Furthermore, it is one of the largest producers of N-methyl morpholine oxide, the preferred solvent used for the manufacture of viscose staple fibre by the solvent spun process.
The Erudite Forerunner
The personality leading APL from the front is Mr. Hemant Kumar Ruia, the Chairman and Managing Director. He has a rich experience of three decades in the chemical industry. With his hard work, experience, and vision, he has brought the company to the level where it is today.
Under the company’s management, MDEA (Methyl Diethanolanine) was developed internally by the company’s technical team and this product is now being exported to many countries and used almost in all refineries and fertilizers and chemical plants in India.
Spearheading the Industry
Over a period, APL has developed many chemicals with internal R&D. The chemicals manufactured by the company are of world class quality and good portion of its production is exported to many countries such as USA, Canada, Germany, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa, and South America.
In APL, R&D, product improvement, and introduction of new products is a way of life. The company employs qualified engineers and chemists backed by technical staff who have a plethora of experience in dealing with chemicals and introducing new products as per market requirements.
Embracing Innovation and Research
The company’s research & development laboratory was setup in the year 1974 for in-house development of products and processes and have been recognized as an approved research laboratory by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
APL has a team of dedicated research scientists, process chemists, and engineers, who are committed to take on product and process development for new products. They meet both production and quality demands and undertake trial production in the pilot plant facilities.
Manufacturing processes for products developed in the company’s R&D facilities have been successfully commercialized and have gained acceptance in both domestic and international markets.
The choice of the manufacturing technology, pilot plant, and production facility selection are done to uphold the most stringent of safety standards for both products and process safety, regulatory compliances, and health and environmental practices. All new processes are designed to conform or exceed regulatory standards in force prior to commercialization.
Prominent Certifications
APL has obtained various certifications owing to its focus on delivering the best products and services to its clients. It has an ISO 9001:2015 certification, which is valid till 11th January 2024. Recertification audit has been conducted by DNV – GL Business Assurance. QMS (Quality Management System) is focusing on continual improvement by implementing the strategic tools for business to gain competitive advantage through products and services that are safe, reliable, and trustworthy.
Besides QMS, APL has IMS (Integrated Management System) for ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifications. It has obtained HALAL Certification for some of the products viz. ethanolamines, morpholine derivatives & ethylene oxide derivative.
APL has also obtained Kosher certification for some of the products namely ethanolamines, morpholine derivatives, ethylene oxide derivative, polysorbates and lauryl alcohol ethoxylates/ propoxylates.
Noteworthy Achievements
APL has achieved various milestones throughout its illustrious journey of delivering the best quality products. The company has received the highest reward from the Government of India for developing and manufacturing of MDEA for export substitution. This was developed specifically on the request of ONGC for their large requirements at that time.
The company is renowned for developing in-house NMMO and today, almost every LYOCELL manufacturer in the world, is using it.
Overcoming Challenges with a Game Face
Team APL states, “Yes, the pandemic has definitely affected everyone. However, we were classified as an essential commodity plant, manufacturing one of the raw materials for Hydroxychloroquinine, which is a proven Malarial drug and in the early days of Covid 19 pandemic, it was touted as the cure drug for Covid 19 and hence, were running our plant right from April 2020”. The company faced huge challenges in moving labour and the final product but due to the co-operation of the employees and the strength APL derives from it, it was able to sail through.
Team APL further states, “For the moment, demand for the products have been presumably high due to lock-down of many companies, restarting now”. It believes that being in the oil and gas sector, the resultant oil prices will affect the expansion plans of refineries. The demand in future is not predictable as of now since most of the refineries have stopped or stalled their expansion plans.
The company also faces stiff competition from multi-national companies, volatility in the dollar, and raw material cost. With its experience and leadership, APL has been able to overcome all these and survive against all these odds itself.
Keeping up with Customer Requirements
The company believes that as far as the chemical industry is concerned, it is very important factor to be updated on the necessary processes of manufacturing and customer’s requirements. This is a continuous process and transforms the chemical industry to serve the customer’s needs.
Concerns about the Environment
APL believes that clean environment is always important to any industry and more specifically in the chemical industry. Every chemical company must ensure that they treat hazardous waste before it is discharged which is strictly enforced by the government to ensure that we have a clean environment and the waste materials do not pollute rivers and drains.
Emphasis on Workplace Safety
APL is committed to promote the highest level of safety in all areas of its working by avoiding work related injury and ill health. It has clear emphasis on prevention of pollution, protection of environment, and improving the environment including sustainable resource use.
The safety and health of personnel and clean environment at workplace are of paramount importance to the company and all these attributes are embedded within the organizational value of the company.
Amines & Plasticizers Ltd. is committed to:
- Design, construct, operate, and maintain its facilities as per the best practices available to ensure safety of the person working under the control of organization, public, environment, and plant equipment
- At least comply with legal and other requirements on safety, health, and environment
- Impart training to its stakeholders for safe operation of its facilities, protecting environment, and quick response during emergency
- Promote eco-friendly activities and conserve natural resources
- Delegate powers to employees to implement the company’s policy on safety, health, and environment
- To prevent ill health and injury. Continual improvement in environment, EMS, and OH&S performance
Words of Advice
Mr. Hemant advises the budding entrepreneurs who strive to venture in the chemical industry to always be ready to face challenges, to adopt new technology, to take initiatives, work hard, and deliver quality products. He says, “If product quality is good, you will always be successful”.
Towards an Exciting Future
Team APL states, “our company introduces numerous products every year which art tailor-made for the customers in the domestic as well as international market”. It envisages that in the next 3 years, the company’s sale should reach 1000 crore.
The company believes that despite the challenges, target should easily be achievable with devotion and teamwork. It is also open to work with MNCs for technology tie-up and buy-back arrangements as it has the infrastructure and the land.
