Fertilizers & Chemicals Travancore Ltd.

The country's oldest fertiliser plant, Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT) which was incorporated in 1943, has emerged as an efficient public sector unit. FACT Udyogmandal started production of Ammonium Sulphate with an installed capacity of 10,000 MT Nitrogen. It became Kerala State PSE on 15th August 1960 and from 21st November,1962 the GOI became the major shareholder. FACT diversified over the decades from fertiliser into petrochemicals, fabrication, engineering, design and consultation services. By setting up a new Ammonium Sulphate Plant in 1965 FACT had completed 3rd stage of expansion. The 2nd production unit of Cochin division was set up at Ambalamedu and 1st phase was commissioned in 1973. As part of diversification plant the company commissioned its 50,000 TPA Caprolactam plant at Udyogamandal. In 1994-95, FEDO was accredited with the ISO-9001 certification. The company is putting up a 900-tpd ammonia project at Udyogamandal. In 1995-96, the company was awarded the Export House status based on the export of caprolactam. During the year, its petrochemical division was awarded the ISO 9002 certification by RW TUV, Germany. During 1997-98, IIT, Madras and FACT have signed a MOU for collaborating in a project to develop a process to produce fibre reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite from Caprolactam for use as engineering plastic, through pultrusion NYRIP process. In 1998-99, it has taken up various projects like conversion of the control system, revamp of the 3 boilers of Cochin division thermal plant, replacement of the carbonate pumps, high pressure valves and other critical items in the urea plant and dcs will be upgraded in the petrochemical division. The Cochin Division has got new order for RG boiler with L & T and plants will be on stream from October,2002.