Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (RCF) has two manufacturing units located at Trombay and Thal and a marketing network throughout the country. RCF manufactures urea and complex fertilisers along with a wide-range of industrial chemicals. Its chairman and managing director RG Rajan spoke to HT on a range of issues. Excerpts:
What are your expansion plans?
RCF has expansion schemes in India as well as abroad. We have undertaken Thal revamp plant to augment its capacity from 1.7 to 2 million tonnes. We are working for expansion of Thal unit by setting up an ammonia-urea stream for production of 1.15 million tonnes of additional urea.
Apart from this, RCF, along with GAIL and Coal India Limited, is actively pursuing the setting up of an ammonia-urea project at Talcher in Orissa through the coal gasification route. We are also exploring possibilities of setting up of an ammonia-urea project at Ghana based on natural gas and in Indonesia based on coal gasification. The company is also exploring joint venture opportunities abroad in phosphatic fertilisers.
What are the future challenges for the fertiliser industry in India?
The Indian fertiliser scenario has drastically changed in the recent past. With introduction of the nutrient-based subsidy scheme, the companies are required to compete, introduce new innovative fertiliser products to meet different requirements of Indian agriculture.
In order to incorporate balanced use of fertilisers and to improve agricultural productivity, RCF is focused on development of customised fertilisers based on the requirement of soil and introduction of secondary and micronutrients for better crop yield.
For better efficacy, water soluble fertilisers are being promoted in a big way. We have also started marketing the organic fertiliser. To cater the requirement of rapid communication in the present competitive environment, the company has taken timely measures.
What are the future challenges for the fertiliser industry in India?
The Indian fertiliser scenario has drastically changed in the recent past. With introduction of the nutrient-based subsidy scheme, the companies are required to compete, introduce new innovative fertiliser products to meet different requirements of Indian agriculture.
In order to incorporate balanced use of fertilisers and to improve agricultural productivity, RCF is focused on development of customised fertilisers based on the requirement of soil and introduction of secondary and micronutrients for better crop yield.
For better efficacy, water soluble fertilisers are being promoted in a big way. We have also started marketing the organic fertiliser. To cater the requirement of rapid communication in the present competitive environment, the company has taken timely measures.
Please elaborate on the contribution of RCF towards growth of fertiliser industry...
RCF is one of the earliest units set up in country with a vision of growth of fertiliser production for food security. The Ujjwala Urea and complex fertiliser Suphala brands manufactured by RCF carry high brand equity and are recognised all over the country.
We have countrywide marketing network in all major states. Besides urea and complex fertilisers, RCF also produces bio-fertilisers, micronutrients and 100% water soluble fertilisers.
Apart from these products, we also produces almost 20 industrial chemicals that are important for the manufacture of dyes, solvents, leather, pharmaceuticals and a host of other industrial products.
What measures RCF is taking to protect environment?
To meet the best environmental standards we have upgraded all the plants with latest technology. Various environment control and monitoring schemes have been implemented.
RCF has spent more than R400 crore over the years in various pollution abatement and environment improvement schemes. This includes massive drive for tree plantation under “Chembur Green” Project. We maintain complete transparency in disseminating environment related data and information.