Page 154 - CW E-Magazine (13-8-2024)

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CATALYSING GROWTH EXPANSION

BASF arm opens new RD&A lab for automotive Hindustan Zinc explores doubling capacity; launches

emissions control solutions in Chennai low-carbon zinc

BASF Catalysts India Pvt. Ltd. Hindustan Zinc Ltd. (HZL) is ing to Mr. Misra. Separately, it has also makers, as they prepare for lower emis-
(BCIL), a subsidiary of BASF Envi- exploring options to double its capacity engaged a consultant for doubling its sion standards in export markets.
ronmental Catalyst and Metal Solu- to 2-mtpa, and expects a fi nal report zinc smelting capacity, he said.
tions (ECMS), has inaugurated a new from mining and production consultants Europe’s Carbon Border Adjust-
Research, Development, and Applica- next month for presenting to its board of He, however, clarifi ed that the plan ment Mechanism (CBAM) requires
tion (RD&A) lab at its site in Mahindra directors, a company executive has is still in an early stage and no material steel exporters to declare the carbon
World City, Tamil Nadu, Chennai. said. progress has so far been made. footprint of their products. From 2026,
high carbon emitters will have to pay an
ECMS – a standalone subsidiary of The Vedanta group company also Demand for zinc is projected to extra duty to sell steel in the European
BASF, was formed from the carve-out launched a new low-carbon line of zinc, grow at 3-4% CAGR. market.
of the German giant’s mobile emissions betting on demand from steelmakers as
catalysts, precious metals trading, recy- emission norms get stricter globally. Low-emission zinc launched Hindustan Zinc is the second largest
cling, and related products, and services. On July 31, the company launched zinc miner globally and the third largest
“By August, we will have the fi nal EcoZen, a new line of low-emission silver producer globally. As per Vedanta’s
BCIL said the Chennai investment is report and we will place it before the zinc that it said causes a fourth of the recently approved demerger plans,
focused on the development of emissions board. In all probability, we will go emissions during production compared Hindustan Zinc will focus on resources
control catalysts that are tailored to the for an expansion to 2-million tonnes,” to the global standards. The lower in India only. And, Vedanta Resources
“unique needs of the Indian automotive Mr. Dirk Bremm, President and CEO of ECMS (Front Right) and Mr. Saeed Alerasool, Senior Vice Mr. Arun Misra, CEO, HZL, told Mint emissions will be on account of using will be tapping into overseas markets
President of RD&A for ECMS (Front Left) inaugurated the new RD&A lab
market”. newspaper. Currently, it has a metal round-the-clock renewable power for copper and other mineral mining.
Additionally, the upcoming stricter product delivery. This also enhances producing capacity of just over 1-mtpa. sourced from fellow group fi rm, Seren-
“This new RD&A lab will enable the emissions requirements pose new our local ability to cater to the specifi c tica Renewables. The company will Foray into critical minerals
development of market–specifi c catalyst challenges for automakers in India. needs of Indian customers and address The country’s largest producer of have a separate production line for The zinc-miner will also be tapping
formulations that meet the unique needs “With this new lab within our Chennai their needs more quickly,” remarked zinc does not plan to acquire new mines making EcoZen that will run on into critical mineral mining in India.
of the Indian market with agility and site, BCIL is able to provide end-to- Mr. Sujan Saha, Business Head India or land for expansion. It will be ramp- renewable energy. Some of the minerals in focus include
fl exibility,” said Mr. Saeed Alerasool, end support to our customers, from and Head of South East Asia, Mobile ing up output from its existing mines graphite, gold, and other critical minerals.
Senior Vice President of RD&A for initial catalyst development to fi nal Emissions Catalysts. for raw material and the additional Hindustan Zinc did not disclose the
ECMS. “With this investment, ECMS smelting capacity will also be based in pricing for this new product. “We did bid in the just conducted
is well positioned to help our customers Safex Chemicals names Chandrashekhar its current leasehold at Chanderiya in critical mineral auctions in India. We
respond to changes resulting from fuel Rajasthan. Mr. Misra said that this product were outbid by some players, and in
diversifi cation as well as stricter tailpipe Shukla as President of Sales & Marketing could account for 8-10% of HZL’s some of the other blocks which we bid,
emissions requirements, and ensures our HZL has engaged two Australian zinc production this year and could go the auctions were annulled. We will
readiness to support future automotive Safex Chemicals, a Shriram and Crystal Crop Pro- mine-planning and mine-contracting as high as 30% by next year. The com- however, continue to bid across these
technologies.” New Delhi-based agro- tection. Most recently, he served companies to prepare a plan on dou- pany is betting on growing demand for auctions as different blocks open up,”
chemicals fi rm, has an- as the Head of International bling the capacity of its mines, accord- low-emission raw materials from steel Mr. Misra said.
BCIL said the opening of the new nounced the appointment Business Development at Crystal
lab is a pivotal step aligned with India’s of Mr. Chandrashekhar Crop Protection Ltd. LIFE SCIENCES
evolving automobile industry and the Shukla as its new Presi- Celcius Logistics appoints top DHL Executives
Indian Government’s focus on diversifying dent of Sales & Market- Commenting on his new role,
fuel sources, including further adoption ing. Mr. Shukla said, “I look forward to spearhead India operations
of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and to collaborating with the talented
renewable biofuels and hydrogen. This Mr. Shukla brings around 30 years team at Safex, engaging with our diverse Celcius Logistics, a leading logis- ship team as the ‘Chief Business Offi - company’s mission to revolutionize
requires that local Original Equipment of experience in managing profi t center customer base and partners, and driving tics player providing end-to-end cold- cer – Life Sciences & Healthcare’ and the cold chain industry with innova-
Manufacturers launch fl ex-fuel vehicles operations, international marketing, and forward our mission to innovate and chain solutions, has announced the ‘Chief Business Offi cer, Operations tive solutions tailored to meet evolving
capable of running on any biofuel-gaso- sales & portfolio management for com- provide high-quality chemical solutions appointment of Mr. Ganesh Satam Pan-India’, respectively. “Their leader- market demands,” a press release
line mix. panies such as Bayer, BASF, and DCM for various sectors”. and Mr. Yugal Agrawal to its leader- ship will be pivotal in advancing the said.

154 Chemical Weekly August 13, 2024 Chemical Weekly August 13, 2024 155

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