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423 Mar-Apr 2026

18 March 2026

Coromandel starts trial operations at new acid plants

Coromandel International says that it has started trial production at its new sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid plants in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The company says that this marks a crucial step towards transforming the unit into a fully integrated facility, significantly enhancing production capacity and diminishing reliance on imported raw materials for fertiliser manufacturing. The company is now focusing on a phased ramp-up. The new plants have of 2,000 t/d of sulphuric acid and 650 t/d of phosphoric acid, respectively. The integration of these acid plants is strategic, aligning with Coromandel’s objective to strengthen backward integration in its fertiliser manufacturing value chain. By producing key intermediates in-house, the company aims to secure stable supplies, enhance cost efficiencies, and achieve greater self-sufficiency, thereby reducing dependence on imported raw materials. The project aims to replace over 50% of the Kakinada plant’s imported acid requirements and mirror the integration levels seen at its Vizag and Ennore facilities.

Latest in Asia

GIZ and thyssenkrupp to support green hydrogen and power-to-X developments in India

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and thyssenkrupp nucera have entered into a new agreement to accelerate the development of green hydrogen and Power-to-X markets in India. Announced at India Energy Week in Goa, the partnership brings together international development cooperation and private-sector technological expertise to unlock opportunities along the country’s hydrogen value chain.

BHEL to supply syngas purification plant

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd says that it has secured a $305 million contract from Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd (BCGCL) for a syngas purification plant at Lakhanpur, Odisha. The lump sum turnkey package includes design, engineering, equipment supply, civil works, commissioning and 60-month operation and maintenance services. The project, part of BCGCL's planned 2,000 t/d ammonium nitrate facility, has a 42-month execution timeline. BCGCL is a joint venture between Coal India Ltd, with a 51% stake and BHEL with a 49% shareholding.

Government moving forward with coal-based urea plant

The government of Pakistan has published a ‘strategic roadmap’ for the country’s major Coal-to-Fertiliser (C2F) initiative. The project is being executed by the publicly-owned Fauji Fertiliser Company (FFC), and will use local coal reserves at Thar as feedstock for the ammonia plant, which will in turn feed 720,000 t/a of urea capacity. The $1.1 billion project aims to strengthen the country’s fertiliser security as well as add value to local resources. A bankable feasibility study was completed in November 2025, and the project is now in the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and project agreements phase. Under the proposed timeline, financial closure is expected between late 2026 and 2027, while commercial operations are targeted to commence in January 2031.

Start-up for green ammonia demonstrator plant

Asahi Kasei Corp says that it has begun operations at a demonstration plant using green ammonia production technology in January 2026, using hydrogen manufactured by Asahi Kasei. The plant, built by JGC, and using KBR’s K-GreeN® ammonia production technology, is part of Japan’s NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation) Green Innovation Fund project. The hydrogen feedstock comes from a 10MW alkaline water electrolysis system at the adjacent Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research facility, which Asahi Kasei has operated since 2020. Leading the design and construction of the ammonia plant, JGC will conduct the demonstration operation during the fiscal year 2026 to advance process optimisation and commercialisation studies.