NAMRUP, June 3 � The Assam Petrochemicals Ltd (APL) here under Dibrugarh district in Assam, is a State Government venture PSU, conceived and implemented with natural gas as feed stock for manufacturing methanol (or methyl alcohol) and formalin (formaldehyde).
The company started its commercial production of methanol and formalin in June 1976 from its two plants of 21 MTPD and 31 MTPD capacities respectively. Keeping in view, the availability of natural gas in the nearby oil fields and the national and international demands for methanol and formalin, APL commissioned its second 200 TPD methanol expansion plant in 1989 and the 100 TPD capacity formalin expansion plant in 1997. Under its expansion and diversification scheme, the company enhanced the production capacity of the existing formalin plant from 100 TPD to 125 TPD by revamping and commissioned the plant on August 27, 2012.
Since its very inception, APL has shown satisfactory achievements in production, net sales and accumulated net profit every fiscal year despite all odds like fluctuating trends of international price of petro-chemical products along with stiff market competition. It also contributes crores of revenue to the State and Central Government exchequer by way of taxes and levies per annum.
Synchronising with the ever- increasing demand for methanol, the company is now keyed up to implement its long-cherished 500 TPD new methanol expansion and 200 TPD acetic acid projects in the existing location of the factory, investing a total capital outlay of Rs 1028 crore .
The much-awaited final confirmation letter�s copy for taking 49% investment in equity participation in APL�s proposed new integrated methanol acetic acid plant from the OIL India Ltd has already reached APL on May 31, 2013 vide Letter No- OIL/ D ( HR & BD ) / 65 , DTD May 30, 2013. The Government of Assam, AGCL and AIDC have confirmed another 51% investment in equity participation in APL�s proposed project. The State Bank of India has already been selected as the lead banker by the company. The Oil India Ltd has agreed to supply required 0.5 MMSCMD natural gas to APL�s new projects. The foundation of APL�s new integrated project will be laid soon.
Sources disclosed that due to the prompt and tireless efforts of the APL�s management headed by Ratul Bordoloi, most of the preparatory works for the said project have already been completed. State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Industry Minister Pradyut Bordoloi, local MLA-cum-Handloom, Textile & Cultural Affairs Minister Pranati Phukan and DoNER Minister Paban Singh Ghatowar have shown interest towards APL�s fulfilment of its long-cherished dream.
