Nouryon and Atul receive environmental clearance to expand MCA production in India

Anaven, a joint venture of Nouryon and Atul, has received the environmental clearance for its 32,000 metric tons monochloroacetic acid (MCA) plant in Gujarat, India.

Mr Robert Vancko and Mr Sunil Lalbhai in Amsterdam

Construction is due to be completed this year to supply MCA to the Indian market by the end of the year. Rob Vancko, Nouryon’s Head of MCA and Chairman of Anaven, said: “Our partnership with Atul will ensure we can efficiently meet growing demand from customers in India, supporting Nouryon’s ambition to grow in targeted end markets such as agriculture, cleaning, and personal care, particularly in emerging markets.”

Sunil Lalbhai, Chairman and Managing Director of Atul said: “We are happy to receive the clearance to expand production of MCA, an essential ingredient for the growing Indian agricultural, personal care and pharmaceutical markets. We are on track to complete construction, testing and commissioning of the facility built using the world-class technology from Nouryon this year and expect to reach full production capacity in the first half of 2021.”

The 50-50 joint venture will become the largest MCA plant in India. It will use chlorine and hydrogen manufactured by Atul to produce up to 32,000 metric tons of MCA per year, with the possibility to expand this to 60,000 metric tons per year in the future. Atul will consume a portion of the MCA directly in its own production and the balance will be supplied to the Indian market.

Nouryon is the leading global technology player in MCA. The company operates plants in the Netherlands, China, and Japan, supplying to customers who use it to produce crop protection products, cleaning and personal care products, pharmaceuticals, thickening agents for food, oil drilling, mining, and cosmetics.

About Nouryon

Nouryon is a global specialty chemicals leader. Markets worldwide rely on its essential chemistry in the manufacture of everyday products such as paper, plastics, building materials, food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care items. Building on its nearly 400-year history, the dedication of 10,000 employees, and shared commitment to business growth, strong financial performance, safety, sustainability, and innovation, it has established a world-class business and built strong partnerships with its customers. It operates in over 80 countries around the world and its portfolio of industry-leading brands include Eka, Dissolvine, Trigonox, and Berol.

About Atul

Established in 1947, Atul Ltd is a diverse Indian chemical company serving customers in 90 countries with 900 products and 400 formulations; it owns 140 retail brands. The Company meets the needs of its customers belonging to varied industries such as Adhesives, Aerospace, Agriculture, Animal Feed, Automobile, Chemical, Composite, Construction, Cosmetic, Defence, Dyestuff, Electrical and Electronics, Flavour, Food, Footwear, Fragrance, Glass, Home Care, Horticulture, Hospitality, Paint and Coatings, Paper, Personal Care, Pharmaceutical, Plastic, Polymer, Rubber, Soap and Detergent, Sport and Leisure, Textile, Tyre and Wind Energy. The first manufacturing site of the Company is amongst the largest integrated chemical sites in the world; it manages complex chemical processes in a responsible way.