Rallis Inaugurates Polymer Facility at Ankleshwar, Gujarat

 

Is the sole global manufacturer of PEKK for Cytec Engineered Material, USA

New factory to meet growing export demand for use in aircrafts

Rallis India Limited, a TATA Enterprise and a leading crop protection chemicals player in India, today inaugurated its high-end application polymer plant for Poly Ether Ketone Ketone (PEKK) in Ankleshwar, Gujarat. The state of the art facility was inaugurated by Mr. R. Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Rallis India Limited. This is a decisive step by the company to develop new businesses which require deployment of its capability as an efficient organic chemicals producer.

Situated in Southern Gujarat, the new facility is housed within the existing manufacturing complex, spreading over a total area of 69000 square meters. The world class factory will initially start with an annual manufacturing capacity of 100,000 kilos of PEKK with an export value of Rs. 400 crores over five years.

 

Rallis India with its strong manufacturing capabilities acknowledged widely by the leading agro-chemicals players in the international market is the sole manufacturer of PEKK across the world. The company has a long standing strategic relationship with M/s Cytec Engineered Material, USA and is engaged in an exclusive contract for the supply of PEKK.

M/s Cytec Engineered Material supplies PEKK based composites to aircraft manufacturers and the new facility at Ankleshwar is designed to cater to meet the growing demand for PEKK in new generation aircrafts.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. R. Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Rallis India said, “This initiative reinforces our commitment to expand our horizons in the portfolio and grow our business. The opening of the new manufacturing facility further highlights the strong relationship existing with our international alliances in the contract manufacturing space.”

The Rallis India–Cytec Engineered relationship has further strengthened with the signing of a long term agreement for the expansion of the PEKK facilities as the demand for the same increases.

Adding further Mr. V Shankar, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Rallis India Limited said, “This initiative is part of our long term growth strategy in consciously investing and exploring adjacent businesses thereby creating a balanced portfolio which until now was largely focused on agrochemicals. The investment in PEKK is a step in this direction, as we strengthen our relationship with Cytec Engineered Materials and also become an important part of the supply chain for aerospace applications.”

Rallis India will benefit from the recent agreement with Cytec, enabling the company to tap into this growing opportunity, thereby boosting the competence of company in the contract manufacturing segment.

About Poly Ether Ketone Ketone (PEKK):
PEKK is a low weight polymer that is inherently flame retardant with excellent heat release properties. With an increasing demand for aircrafts and deliveries straining to pick up in line with requirements, orders for these products from the airline companies have resulted in a growth of demand for PEKK.

About Rallis India Limited:
Rallis is known for its manufacturing capabilities in agrochemicals and related chemistries with ability to develop new processes and formulations supported by the capability to register new products. It has contract manufacturing alliances with several multinational agrochemical companies, including Syngenta, Kureha, and Makhteshim Agan. The Company is also focusing on strengthening its international presence and establishing new capacities for contract manufacturing. During the financial year 2007-08, the Company posted Profit after Tax of Rs. 125.19 Crores and Revenues of Rs. 760.74 Crores.

Cytec Engineered Material, USA:
Cytec Engineered Material is a part of the 3.5 Billion US $ Cytec Industries and is a global supplier of technologically advanced materials for various applications like aerospace and high performance automotives. Cytec manufactures a range of specialty products which are virtually used in every aircraft in the world.