Crystal Phosphates to set up new manufacturing unit

Crystal Phosphates, an agrochemical company of Rs. 525 crore Crystal Group, based in Haryana, has firmed up its plans to put up active ingredients manufacturing facility in Dahej SEZ at Bharuch. The company will infuse Rs. 25 crore for the project.

The company currently imports active ingredients mainly from China to produce pesticides.

"At present, we have three production units— one in Haryana and two in Jammu and Kashmir. The Gujarat unit will be our fourth facility. Unlike existing three units, which manufacture formulations, Dahej SEZ unit will focus on active ingredients, a key raw material for making pesticides and herbicides", Ankur Aggarwal, managing director, Crystal Phosphates Ltd today said while launching its product ‘Missile’ in Gujarat. on Tuesday.

The unit is likely to be operational in two to three years time. The company sees Gujarat as a strategic location for its new plant.

"Dahej falls under the chemical zone of Gujarat, where raw material is easily available. Proximity to port is another advantage that the state offers. We plan to export 20 to 25 per cent of active ingredients produced in Gujarat", he added.

Africa, Egypt and Turkey and other non-European Union countries are on companys radar for exports. In order to educate farmers about usage of its newly launched product, the company plans to open 200 farmer training centers in Gujarat.

"We will adopt 200 farms across the state, for which we have already started hiring science graduates and post graduates. The farmers will be imparted training with regard to 150 varieties of Kharif and 50 varieties of Rabi crops", Aggarwal said.

When asked about the impact of scanty rainfall on sales of agrochemicals, he said that the sales might go down by 10 per cent.