Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) has received the state government’s nod for setting up a petrochemical park in Kochi.

The cost of the project is estimated at ₹1,864 crore. The project is expected to come up on 600 acres owned by FACT at Ambalamugal. Kinfra has received in-principle approval from the government for the project, which assumes significance in view of the proposed expansion of the BPCL-Kochi Refinery, the proximity to Kochi Port and natural gas infrastructure at the location, M.Beena, Managing Director, Kinfra said.

The infrastructure facilities required for the project include internal roads, drainage, water treatment plants, internal water supply systems, internal electrification, common sewage treatment plants, common effluent treatment plants, rainwater harvesting and solid waste management. Many industrial houses have approached the government for establishing petrochemical production units in view of the imminent availability of raw materials following the refining capacity expansion of BPCL-KR from 9.5 MMTPA to 15.5 MMTPA. This would lead to the production of various fuels such as LPG, HSD, kerosene and ATF.

BPCL plans to establish joint venture companies for production of various base materials and this would boost manufacturing, augment exports and generate employment.

Quoting studies, Beena said the petrochemical sector, which is one of the fastest growing industries, currently contributes about 30 per cent to India’s $120-billion worth chemical industry, which is likely to grow at a CAGR of 11 per cent.

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