Urea production at RFCL plant set to take off soon
The initial investment for the revival of RFCL was estimated at Rs 5,254.28 crore which was subsequently revised to Rs 6,175.51 crore
image for illustrative purpose
Ramagundam Fertilizers completes trial run; PM likely to inaugurate
Hyderabad: The much-awaited revival of Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (RFCL) is closer to fruition as the once-defunct fertilizer maker successfully completed its trial runof gas-based urea manufacturing plant recently. Urea production at this revived facility in Peddapalli district of Telangana is expected to commence soon.
The trial run of urea production was done using the technical graded urea. In trial run, the urea was processed from prilling tower to prilling unit then it was supplied to baggage unit through the conveyor belt.
The plant which is under renovation after the Central government has granted permission to restart the defunct fertilizer plants in India to overcome shortage of fertilizers.
RFCL, re-incorporated on February 17, 2015, will have a capacity to produce 3,850 tonne per day of urea and 2,200 tonne per day of ammonia. The initial investment for the revival of RFCL was estimated at Rs 5,254.28 crore which was subsequently revised to Rs 6,175.51 crore.
The technology and equipment installed at the urea unit was procured from Italy-based Saipem. Denmark-based HTAS consortium supplied equipment for the ammonia unit.
RFCL's urea plant will produce 12.7 lakh tonnes of urea per annum and it will be sold under Kisan brand. The half of the urea production will be supplied to Telangana State. However, it is said that the Telangana government is seeking 90 per cent allocation to the State.
"We are hopeful of Prime Minister inaugurating the plant and date will be announced by Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and PMO soon," said Nirlep Singh, CEO, RFCL, during the trial run. Initially, RFCL was taken up as a joint venture of the central government, National Fertilizers, Engineers India and Fertilizer Corporation of India. Subsequently, Telangana also invested for 11 per cent stake. GAIL which supplies gas to the plant, has 14.3 per cent stake while HTAS owns 11.7 per cent. The company is yet to take up recruitment which is going to be done at national level. At present, contract employees are working in the facility.
