Shaded by the Market

Shaded by the Market Hansavivek DHRANGADHRA CHEMICAL is seek- ing to increase its licensed capacities, of soda ash to 65,000 tonnes and of soda bicarb to 7,200 tonnes per annum. It intends also to undertake simultaneously replacement and rehabilitation of some of its existing machinery. The scheme will be implemented in phases. Meanwhile, negotiations with financial institutions are in progress. The company's existing licensed capacities of soda ash and soda bicarb are 46,800 tonnes and 2,880 tonnes, respectively, while their installed capacities are 55,000 tonnes and 4,500 tonnes, respectively. The company is still exploring the possibility of securing indigenous knowhow for manufacture of bromine, and government has extended the period of its 'letter of intent'. If no satisfactory knowhow is available, the company will ask government to allow it foreign consultants for the project. The research and development department has designed a new secondary cell for the caustic soda plant in order to reduce the hold-up of mercury.