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FEEDSTOCK SOURCING EXPANDING PRESENCE
Surplus rice crop to help sustain domestic ethanol NMDC’s new Dubai offi ce to aid critical mineral

production acquisitions

India is allocating record rice volumes NMDC, India’s largest iron ore pro- scouting mineral assets, conducting rations in Mining Equipment and Tech-
for ethanol production as it struggles with ducer, is exploring acquisition oppor- technical due diligence, and facilitating nology Services (METS),” the state-
unprecedented inventories that are likely tunities for critical minerals in Africa, engagements with government bodies, ment added. In April, NMDC Chairman
to swell further with the arrival of the new Australia and South America, as part business partners, and research institu- Amitava Mukherjee said the miner was
season crop, a reversal from earlier short- of its global mineral diversifi cation tions. looking at Africa for lithium, iron ore,
ages that led to export curbs. strategy. copper and cobalt as well as explor-
By providing real-time market in- ing coking coal assets in Indonesia and
Turning more rice to ethanol is help- The company recently opened an telligence and timely decision support, Australia. Last year, India’s Secretary
ing to reduce rice stocks in the world’s offi ce in Dubai that will track mineral the offi ce will enable NMDC’s leader- of Mines V.L. Kantha Rao said that
biggest producer and exporter of the grain sector developments in Africa and ship to respond swiftly to global oppor- NMDC and Coal India were exploring
and keeping India’s ambitious ethanol Australia, and focus on scouting mineral tunities. lithium mines in Chile and Australia. In
blending programme on track despite a marketing year ending in June. In the grains as feedstock, switching between assets and conducting due diligence, it 2023, NMDC’s unit Legacy Iron Ore
drop in supplies of traditional feedstock, previous year, less than 3,000-tonnes of them depending on price. said in a statement. Additionally, it will help build a had signed a lithium exploration pact
sugarcane. FCI rice went into ethanol. reliable network for confi dential insights with Australia’s Hancock Prospecting
India aims to increase the blending of “The Dubai offi ce will focus on on peer companies and explore collabo- Pty. Ltd.
In March, India removed the last of FCI buys nearly half of India’s rice ethanol into gasoline to 20% by 2025/26.
roughly two years of restrictions on rice crop and currently has reserves, including In May, it nearly hit that target, reaching Cummins India launches battery energy storage
exports, which had been prompted by unmilled paddy, of a record 59.5-mt on 19.8% ethanol, thanks to plentiful rice.
poor rains that curtailed production. This June 1, far exceeding the government’s systems
year’s ample monsoon rains are poised to target of 13.5-mt for July 1. The 20% goal had appeared to be
deliver an abundant harvest. beyond reach when sugarcane supplies, Cummins India, a leading power solu-
The availability of rice for ethanol which accounted for 80% of ethanol tions technology provider, has announced
The state-run Food Corporation of has taken pressure off corn prices, which feedstock until three years ago, tumbled the launch of its Battery Energy Storage
India (FCI) has allocated a record 5.2-mt jumped to record high last years, forcing because of drought in 2023, forcing the Systems (BESS), expanding its sustain-
of rice for ethanol, equivalent to nearly 9% record imports by India. Grain-based dis- country to sharply reduce diversion of able solutions portfolio.
of global rice shipments in the 2024/25 tilleries use corn, rice and damaged food sugar for ethanol.
BESS is emerging as reliable and effi -
STRENGTHENING LUBRICANT PORTFOLIO cient technology for addressing the energy
Shell Lubricants closes acquisition of Raj Petro transition requirements of key industries and optimise energy costs through peak customers are increasingly seeking smarter
such as manufacturing, data centres, com-
Specialities mercial realty, and mining. These systems shaving and energy shifting. ways to manage energy costs and im-
enable seamless integration of clean, re-
prove power quality. Backed by our global
newable, and intermittent energy sources Pankaj Kapoor, Vice President, expertise, Cummins’ BESS solutions are
Shell Lubricants has completed the mer base in India, which is one of its ket by supplying customers in the power like solar and wind with the existing power Distribution Business, Cummins India, built to address these evolving needs while
acquisition of Raj Petro Specialities, key growth markets,” Shell Lubricants transmission, personal care and pharma- infrastructure. This ensures that customers commented, “As the demand for reliable supporting our customer’s sustainability
strengthening its lubricants portfolio said in a statement. ceutical sectors, as well as helping to can maximise renewable energy use power continues to grow across industries, goals.”
and customer base, the company said. realise new synergies and economies of
Raj Petro, which has manufacturing scale across the lubricants value chain,” Tanfac commissions solar grade DHF plant
Without disclosing fi nancial details facilities at Chennai and Silvassa, off ers the statement said.
of the transaction, Shell said it has a wide range of products – from trans- Tanfac Industries – a joint venture the approval of the trial production quality for the solar energy industry. The company
acquired 100% equity interest in Raj former oil to petroleum jellies, white The addition of Raj Petro Specia- company promoted by the Anupam by one of India’s major solar energy pro- is currently implementing the second
Petro Specialities Pvt. Ltd. from German oils, waxes and lubricants. The more lities will help maximise value for Shell Rasayan and the Tamil Nadu Industrial ducers, confi rming that the product meets phase of the project, which aims to ex-
chemicals distribution fi rm, Brenntag. than 80-year-old Mumbai-headquar- through a complementary product port- Development Corporation (TIDCO) – has their stringent quality requirements. This pand the total solar grade DHF capacity
“The acquisition of Raj Petro Specia- tered fi rm was acquired by Brenntag in folio and increased scale of business,” successfully commissioned its 5,000-tpa milestone marks Tanfac as the fi rst Indian to 10,000-tpa. This expansion is expected
lities supports Shell Lubricants as it 2017-18. “The transaction strengthens said Jason Wong, Shell’s Executive solar grade Dilute Hydrofl uoric Acid chemical company to commission a solar to be commissioned within the next three
strives to grow its portfolio and custo- Shell Lubricants’ presence in the mar- Vice President for Global Lubricants. (DHF) plant. The commissioning follows grade DHF plant, a critical raw material months.

138 Chemical Weekly July 8, 2025 Chemical Weekly July 8, 2025 139

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