Page 132 - CW E-Magazine (23-4-2024)

Top Stories

OUTLOOK
India to lead global caustic soda capacity additions

through 2028: Report

India is set to register the highest In India, the major capacity addition in 2024, with an initial capacity of
caustic soda capacity additions globally would be of the planned caustic soda 0.07-mtpa. Plans are in place to augment
by 2028, contributing about 40% of project of Mundra Petrochem Ltd.’s this capacity by an additional 0.15-mtpa
the total capacity additions, according in Mundra (Gujarat) with a capacity of in 2025.
to GlobalData, a leading data and ana- 1.30-mtpa. Mundra Petrochem has a
lytics company. GlobalData’s latest 100% stake in the plant and is also the Ms. Nivedita Roy, Oil and Gas Ana-
report reveals that India is likely to wit- operator of the project, which is expected lyst at GlobalData, said, “The caustic
ness caustic soda capacity additions of to commence production in 2027. This soda industry in India has been experi-
2.55-million tonnes per annum (mtpa) plant will generate caustic soda as the encing robust growth because of its
between 2024 and 2028 through seven by product while producing PVC from versatile applications across various
newly build plants and two expansion coal, the GlobalData report stated. sectors such as textiles, soaps and deter-
projects. gents, and water treatment.” As per the
Grasim Industries’ Bikkavolu report, the global caustic soda industry
In 2023, China, the US, India, (Andhra Pradesh) caustic soda plant capacity was pegged at 102.23-mtpa
Germany, and Japan were the leading represents another signifi cant capacity in 2023 and expected to increase at an
countries accounting for over 75% of addition, the report noted. The facility AAGR of more than 1% from 2023 to
the total caustic soda capacity. is anticipated to commence operations 2028.
ENSURING CIRCULARITY
Uttarakhand to get commercial plant for recycling

lithium-ion batteries and e-waste

The Technology Development rare earth elements being left in dump
Board (TDB) under the Science & yards or landfi lls. India is currently
Technology Ministry has partnered with the third-largest generator of e-waste
a private entity to establish a com- globally.
mercial plant for recycling lithium-ion
batteries (LIB) and e-waste using indige- The TDB recently sealed a deal
nous technology in Uttarakhand. This with Remine India Pvt. Ltd. to establish
move aims to enhance circularity and the recycling plant in Sitarganj, Uttara-
lessen the country’s reliance on impor- khand, with a total project cost of
ted critical mineral resources. Rs. 15-crore. TDB has committed fi nancial
assistance of Rs. 7.5-crore towards the
Presently, a large portion of LIBs, project.
about 95%, end up in landfi lls with- risks. Effective recycling will not only
out recycling, while only 5% undergo provide secondary raw materials for cell TDB’s Secretary, Mr. Rajesh
the process. The lithium-ion battery manufacturing domestically but also Kumar Pathak, said that the board’s
recycling market is expected to grow help in averting health hazards. support will facilitate informal recy-
signifi cantly, reaching close to $15-bn clers to collaborate with formal recy-
by 2030, showing a compound annual Moreover, e-waste poses a sub- clers, promoting a circular economy.
growth rate of 21.6%. In 2021, the mar- stantial challenge, with approximately The indigenous technology utilised for
ket size was $3.8-bn. Improper disposal 78% of it not being collected in India. the plant is developed by the Centre for
of LIBs through landfi lling and incin- This results in valuable secondary raw Materials for Electronics Technology
eration poses environmental and health materials like gold, silver, copper, and (CMET) based in Hyderabad.

132 Chemical Weekly April 23, 2024

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised