It causes concern that the Rs.25000 milliion Titanium dioxide project of Tatas in Tamil Nadu is not making headway.

It makes sad reading that Tatas may not be able to proceed with the Tatanium dioxide project. Titanium dioxide is a great investment opportunity in India , since India has around 14% of the world reserves of ilmenite mineral, which is the starting material for the production of Titanium dioxide pigment.

India’s present production of Titanium dioxide pigment is less than 1% of the global production and the global demand is steadily increasing at the rate of 4% per annum. Indian demand is also steadily rising at 9 to 10% per annum.

One cannot think of any organisation in India more qualified and competent than Tatas to set up this Rs.25000 million Titanium dioxide venture in India. Obviously, the Tuticorin location in TamilNadu for setting up the Titanium dioxide project is the most appropriate one.

The reason for the project of Tatas facing stumbling block in Tamil Nadu is that the Tatas seem to be giving more importance to the acquisition of around 10000 acres of land for the project and appear to be ready to give up the project itself in the absence of acquiring such vast tract of land.

Any person with knowledge of Titanium dioxide project will think that the demand of Tata’s for around 10000 acres of land for the project cannot stand the  scrutiny of an impartial and independent cost benefit analysis.

Most TiO2 plants in the world, even larger than that of Tata’s proposed project, do not have the mining facilities and do not own the ilmenite mines. Without the need for the mining facility , the requirement of land for the project of Tatas can be only around 500 acres.

Indian Rare Earths Ltd. is already operating large ilmente mines in Ganjam district in Orissa and the ilmenite from Orissa are largely exported without being converted into value added product.

It is difficult to understand as to why Tatas insist on acquiring vast land for mining ilmenite on their own, when they can procure the ilmenite from Orissa. Ilmenite from Orissa can be comfortably brought to Tuticorin by sea.

From the point of view of the economics of operation and optimising the investment, buying ilmenite should be a far more advantageous proposition than producing ilmenite by Tatas.

Tatas should not let go this opportunity to set up Titanium dioxide project that would bring glory both to the country as well as Tata group. Tatas should give up their love for 10000 acres of land for the sake of setting up valuable Titanium dioxide project.

Appearance             Usually colourless to light colored liquids with an ammonia-like odour.
Alternative names    Ethylenamine,  Ethylene Amines, [Combustible Liquid Label] Vinylamine
CAS Number           593-67-9
Molecular Formula     C2H5N
Solubility                 Generally soluble in water and denser than water.

Product application

Ethyleneamines and their derivatives are used in various applications including epoxy hardeners, wetstrength resins for paper, chelates, and pharmaceutical and agro chemical intermediates.

* Asphalt Additives
* Bleach Activators
* Chelating Agents
* Corrosion Inhibitors
* Drainage Aids
* Elastomeric Fibers
* Epoxy Curing Agents
* Fabric Softeners
* Fungicides
* Hydrocarbon Purification
* Lube Oil and Fuel Additives
* Mineral Processing Aids
* Pharmaceuticals
* Plastic Lubricants
* Polyamide Resins
* Rubber Processing Additives
* Surfactants
* Textile Additives
* Urethane Chemicals
* Wet Strength Resins

This article contains the following details :

• Global producers
• Profile of major producers
• New project
• Process technology
• Global capacity
• Global growth in demand
• Price trends
• Indian scenario

 

DDT was first synthesized in 1874, but in 1939 Paul Muller of Geigy Pharmaceutical (the predecessor to Novartis) discovered the chemical’s insecticidal behavior: it killed all the bugs it was tested on. For this, Muller won the 1948 Nobel Prize in medicine.

DDT was extensively used during of World War II, in wiping out malaria and other insect-delivered diseases on the battlefield and in nearby cities.

This article also discusses the following details :

• Ban on DDT
• Adverse impact on ban
• Relook on DDT
• Present production level of DDT
• Views of WHO and recent usage trend
• Campaign against DDT
• Campaign on Greenpeace
• DDT emerge as the most effective weapon against malaria in South Africa
• Control of Malaria in South Africa by indoor spraying of DDT
• Nobel Laureate Scientist disfavours ban on DDT
• Countrywise exports from India
• Indian production of DDT

The commercially important biodegradable polymers include the following :

* Starch blended biopolymers
* Polylactic acid (PLA)
* Polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA)
* Polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB)
* Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)
* Polybutylene succinate (PBS)

PBS is currently produced using succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol (BDO), both of which are usually derived from maleic anhydride.

The bio based process for the production of succinic acid involves the following steps

* Corn derived glucose is fermented to succinic acid
* Succinic acid is then purified by electrodialysis

PBS has excellent mechanical properties and can be applied to a range of end applications via conventional melt processing techniques.
 
It is generally blended with other compounds, such as starch and adipate copolymers (to form PBS-A), to make its use economical.

PBS is used for agricultural mulch film, foamed  cushioning, packaging film, bags and ‘flushable’ hygiene products. Mitsubishi says that PBS can also replace polyolefins and polystyrene in some applications.

This article further discusses the following aspects:

• Important global producers
• New project/expansion proposal
• Incentives in China

The demand for fluorine products in the market is steadily growing. It is expected that the capacity of fluorine polymers in China will maintain an average annual growth of 15% form 2006 to 2010 and reach 70000 tonnes per annum in 2010.The output will be close to 50000 tonnes at that time.

Fluorine containing polymers have a series of properties such as unique surface behaviours like superior weather resistance , good endurance, good non tackiness, low surface tension, low friction, hydrophobicity and lipophobicity and good electric behaviours like high insulation and low electrolytic constant. They can be used in key areas that can withstand severe environments and perform unique functions. They are therefore indispensable functional materials in many sectors.

This article also contains the following details

• Application of fluorine containing polymer membranes in solar cells
• Application of perfluoro ion exchange membrane in fuel cells
• Application of perfluoro ion exchange membrane in the chlor alkali industry
• Application of fluorine containing polymer membrane in other sectors

With the emergence of climate change regulations, including emission trading schemes, companies in developed countries are financially liable for their carbon dioxide emissions in certain regions of the world. Many chemical companies are developing novel technologies and systems designed to cut carbon dioxide emissions, sequester carbon dioxide and even use the carbon dioxide gas as a low cost raw material for chemical processes.

Many firms operating in the chemical industry see the shift to lower carbon emissions as a significant financial and investment opportunity

This article contains the following details:

• EU’s Emission Trading Scheme (ETS)
• Carbon dioxide price
• Carbon dioxide capture projects
• Use of CO2 as feedstock
• Project proposal of Air Products
• Oxyfuel technology
• CO2 capture technologies to power generator
• Rhodia’s project
• Novel processes under development by BASF
• Initiatives of UOP
• Technology developed by Sandia National Laboratories
• Project of DSM
• Biofuel project using carbon dioxide
• Initiatives of Universities         
• Novel porous material to absorb carbon dioxide

With a view to develop and demonstrate technical performance of grid interactive solar power generation, achieve reduction in the cost of the grid connected solar systems and the cost of solar power generation in India, the Ministry of Renewable Energy of Government of India will support Grid Interactive Solar Power Generation projects as demonstration projects in India.

The Ministry will consider support for a maximum capacity upto 50 MW during the 11th plan period, as per the guidelines and norms.

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) will assist the Ministry in fund handling, monitoring and other associated activities in this regard.

Any project developer, who fulfills the procedural requirements and the guidelines specified by the Ministry, will be eligible for consideration of generation based incentive.

Eligible projects and eligibility criterion

Grid interactive solar PV Power Generation plants of a minimum installed capacity of one MWp per plant at a single location will be eligible for generation based incentive. However, one mega watt capacity may be set up through modular units to make one megawatt at a single location.

A maximum cumulative capacity of 10 MWp of Grid interactive solar PV power generation project can be set up in a state.

Any project developer can set up grid interactive PV power generation projects upto a maximum of 5 MWp capacity in the country, either through a single project or multiple projects of a minimum capacity of one MWp each.

The grid interactive solar PV power generation projects will be undertaken on Build Own and Operate basis.

Setting up of captive grid interactive solar PV power plant or captive utilization of solar PV power is not covered under the generation based incentive scheme of the Ministry.

In case any project developer is desirous of availing the accelerated depreciation benefit for the project under section 32 of the Income Tax Act 1961, they would not be eligible for generation based incentive.

This article discusses the following aspects:

• Procedures to be followed by project developers
• Generation based incentives
• Solar thermal power station