Defence Boost! Pandian Chemicals Unveils ₹48 Cr Plant for Missile Fuel Ingredient - Huge Expansion!

Author

Abhay Singh | Whalesbook News Team

Detailed Coverage:

Pandian Chemicals Limited (PCL), a private manufacturer of Perchlorates based in Madurai, has expanded its operations by inaugurating a new facility at SIPCOT Industrial Estate, Thervoy Kandigai, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This new plant represents an investment of ₹48 crore and aims to increase the production of Perchlorates, particularly Ammonium Perchlorate (APC), which is crucial for solid fuel motors used in defense missiles. The facility has an initial installed capacity of 40 metric tonnes per month and can potentially double its output in the future.

This expansion is driven by the rising demand for APC both domestically and internationally. PCL, formerly a joint sector company with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, is India's largest producer of Potassium Chlorate, a vital raw material for the safety match industry. The company's promoter, MEPCO (MEPCO INDUSTRIES LIMITED), is a major manufacturer of non-ferrous metal powders and a supplier of specialized aluminum powders, another component used in solid fuel motors.

Impact This expansion directly supports India's defense manufacturing capabilities and its drive towards self-sufficiency in strategic materials. It is expected to boost PCL's revenue and market share, potentially influencing its parent company, MEPCO. The increased capacity could also impact global supply dynamics for Perchlorates.

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Difficult Terms: Perchlorates: A class of chemical compounds containing the perchlorate anion (ClO4−). Ammonium Perchlorate (APC): A chemical compound with the formula NH4ClO4. It is a white crystalline solid, widely used as an oxidizer in rocket and missile propellants. Solid Fuel Motors: Rocket motors that use a solid propellant mixture, which is cast into a single solid block. SIPCOT Industrial Estate: State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Industrial Estate, a government-run industrial park designed to foster industrial development in Tamil Nadu. Potassium Chlorate: A chemical compound with the formula KClO3, used in safety matches, fireworks, and explosives.