'Coal gasification can be used as feedstock for petrochemical'

There is a need to explore a possibility of using coal gasification as the feedstock for producing petrochemicals in order to increase the domestic output of these energy products, a top official said today.
"There has been a substantial increase in demand of petrochemicals in India in the last decade or so, but China has taken advantage of that as it is now supplying much of these chemicals to our country," Chemicals Secretary Surjit Chaudhary said at a conference here.
Petrochemicals, which are derived from crude oil, could also be obtained from other sources especially coal, guar-gum, neem among others.

"There is no shortage of coal in India. We need to gasify it and used as raw material for producing petrochemicals. It can be a good source of energy. While for other major feedstock crude oil, we are dependent on imports," Chaudhary added.
The official also added the Centre is planning to set up Reverse Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in various nations starting from Iran in order to meet the increasing demand of specialty chemicals in the country.
"India is exploring to set up a chemical plant in Iran, a delegation has already gone there," he said.
The domestic process and chemical industry needs to explore joint ventures and acquire assets in the oil & gas rich regions abroad for securing alternative feedstock and energy sources, he said.

He also urged the industry to work towards "Swach Bharat Abhiyan" and take proper measures to dump waste from factories and also reuse it.