Anil Products to up starch plant capacity

Ahmedabad-based industrial starch manufacturing company, Anil Products Ltd (APL), plans to expand its production capacity of modified starch by 25 per cent by the end of the present fiscal.

The company, earlier known as The Anil Starch Products Ltd, presently manufactures 35,000 tonnes per annum of modified starches, which is 80 per cent of the capacity.

"We plan to expand our capacity for modified starches at the existing plant in Ahmedabad itself by 25 per cent by 2007-08-end," said Amol Sheth, Managing Director, APL.

APL has a range of modified starches under the brandname 'Sizanil', 'Anilose', 'Texanil' and 'Anilosize' to suit the various sizing needs depending upon the operations.

Modified starches is an additive which is prepared by treating starch or starch granules, causing the starch to be partially degraded. Modified starch is used as a thickening agent, stabiliser, or an emulsifier in sectors like textiles, food, pharmaceuticals and others.

According to Sheth, of the total modified starches produced, 20,000 tonnes per annum is used for textiles especially in denims, bottom weights, shirting and terry towels.

"The modified starches help in reducing recipe cost by 5-20 per cent and increases weaving efficiency especially in shuttleless looms and automatic looms by 2-10 per cent. India was in a nascent stage for modified starches till now. But now it is the right time to introduce it in the country," said Sheth.

With additional shuttleless looms and automatic looms expected to be 1.35 lakh and 1.10 lakh respectively by 2012, Sheth is hopeful that the demand for modified starches will increase in due time.

"The textile industry in India, which is at $52 billion, is expected to grow at 16 per cent to touch $85 billion by 2010 and $110 billion by 2012. Therefore, our industry is expecting an investment in modified starches of Rs 1,94,000 by 2012 to tap the growing market," added Sheth.

APL has also collaborated with IIT-Delhi for evaluating its products and R&D in modified starches for quality improvement. Sheth claims that APL is the only company manufacturing modified starches in Gujarat.

Meanwhile, Sheth agreed that the shortfall of maize, which is the main ingredient in production of starches, in the present year had affected the business, he said that the crop is expected to be 4.5 million in the next Kharif season.