Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd Wins Innovation Award for Breakthrough Crude-to-Chemicals Technology

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) has been honored with the prestigious Innovation Award 2024-25 for its groundbreaking ‘Gradual Olefins and Aromatic Technology’. This award, specifically for ‘Best Innovation in Research and Development in Refining Technology’, was presented at the 28th Energy Technology Meet in Hyderabad.

The ‘Gradual Olefins and Aromatic Technology’ is a sophisticated crude-to-chemicals process, developed entirely by MRPL's in-house research and development team. This indigenous innovation signifies India's growing prowess in transforming crude oil directly into valuable petrochemicals, a feat that can significantly boost energy efficiency and lower carbon intensity in the refining sector. It aligns with the nation's broader objectives for sustainable energy practices.

Hardeep Singh Puri, the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, presented the award during the ceremony organized by the Centre for High Technology. Nandakumar V Pillai, Director (Refinery) at MRPL, expressed pride in the company's continuous adoption of advanced technologies and highlighted that their Innovation Centre is not only developing but also successfully implementing such breakthrough processes, positioning MRPL at the forefront of industry advancements.

Impact: This award recognizes MRPL's significant R&D achievement, potentially enhancing its reputation and competitive edge. The successful implementation of this crude-to-chemicals technology could lead to higher-value product streams, improved operational efficiency, and reduced environmental impact for MRPL. This might translate to better financial performance and investor confidence in the company. Impact Rating: 7/10

Difficult Terms: * **Olefins**: A group of unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one double bond, such as ethylene and propylene, which are fundamental building blocks for plastics and other chemicals. * **Aromatics**: A class of organic compounds containing one or more benzene rings, like benzene, toluene, and xylene, which are used in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, solvents, and other chemical products. * **Crude-to-chemicals process**: A refining technology that directly converts crude oil into high-value petrochemicals, bypassing traditional intermediate steps and aiming for higher yields of chemical products. * **Carbon intensity**: A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases emitted per unit of economic output or energy consumed. Lower carbon intensity means a more environmentally friendly process. * **Sustainable refining**: Refining processes that aim to minimize environmental impact, improve energy efficiency, and reduce waste and emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability.