NAMRUP, Oct 7 � The Assam Petrochemicals Limited (APL), a State Government owned petrochemicals complex and the first of its kind in India, was incorporated on April 22, 1971, along with its plants at Namrup under Dibrugarh district and registered office at GS Road, Guwahati. The first unit of methanol plant along with its value-added downstream formation plant was commissioned in 1976. The company substantially expanded its methanol manufacturing capacity by installing its second unit of 100 TPD capacities which was commissioned in September, 1988 along with another 100 TPD formation plant in 1997.
Considering the life span of the existing plants and keeping in view the galloping demand of methanol in the country and global market, the APL is actively contemplating setting up of another methanol project of 500 TPD capacities and 200 TPD acetic acid in the adjacent location of existing plants at Namrup. Oil India Ltd, Duliajan has already agreed to supply the required 0.5 mmscmd natural gas to APL�s proposed new methanol expansion project.
It is learnt from a reliable source that to execute the proposed integrated project to produce around 400 TPD methanol and 200 TPD acetic acid on a fast track basis, APL has already awarded the contract of the project management consultant (PMC) services to Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd, Mumbai, which will undertake the following main activities among others � prepare overall engineering design data for the combined project to produce around 400 TPD methanol and 200 TPD acetic acid plants, develop a detailed bit documents, float tenders , evaluate tenders for selection of prime contractor for basic designs, engineering, procurement and construction , supervision and commissioning of the acetic acid plants, evaluate the offers already received by APL for methanol expansion plant and make recommendations, prepare a technical scheme and coordinate with both the prime contractors for the finetuning of the scheme for perfect integration of both plants based on feed from either plants.
It is to be added that the mishap in the reformer tubes of APL in July, 2010 had severely affected its production scene till mid-August, 2011. But the devoted services of its expert technical wings and the firm role of the management had withstood as a rare specimen on the industrial scene to keep a factory running after such a critical juncture. The reformer tubes have already been replaced by new ones and the factory is running in full production.
It is to be added that during his visit to APL, Namrup on June 14, Pradyut Bordoloi, Minister of Industries, Commerce and Power gave a green signal to APL�s proposed integrated 500 TPD new methanol and 200 TPD acetic acid plants.
Reliable sources told this correspondent here that APL�s Managing Director Ratul Bordoloi has already petitioned the State government for releasing 60% equity share for the proposed project to keep SLP which is now on the threshold of receiving green signal. The technical bit evaluation of 500 TPD APL�s new methanol expansion project is under progress.
APL is now on the threshold of transforming its dream of 500 TPD new methanol expansion project into reality. Both the workers� union and officers� assocaition have played an important role in this respect.
