Vedanta's Sterlite Copper shutdown hits chemicals units in Tamil Nadu

These units, which use sulphuric and phosphoric acids generated during copper making process, may now have to source these inputs at a much higher cost

The closure of Sterlite Copper, the smelting unit of Vedanta Group, is expected to impact the fertilisers and chemicals industry in Tamil Nadu, as it is a major supplier of phosphoric acid and sulphuric acid in the State. The two acids are by-products. The price of sulphuric acid has already risen more than three times due to short supply, said sources.

Sterlite is said to be the only domestic supplier of Phosphoric Acid with a capacity of 220,000 metric tonnes. The by-product is a key raw material in the manufacture fertilisers such as Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and NPK, and is also