Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd will diversify into petrochemicals with an investment of ₹4,588 crore. The state-owned refiner’s board of directors has approved the diversification proposal.
BPCL plans to produce niche petrochemicals such as acrylic acid, acrylates and oxo alcohols, which, it said, are predominantly imported.
These chemicals will be produced at its Kochi Refinery using polymer-grade propylene that will be available after the ongoing Integrated Refinery Expansion Project is completed. The integrated refinery expansion is being taken up at a cost of ₹14,225 crore.
The major end-uses of these chemicals are paints and coatings, adhesives, plasticisers, solvents and water treatment.
The unit is expected to go on stream during FY19. The company is submitting the proposal for environment clearance.
The state-owned refiner’s expansion project involves raising the Kochi refinery’s capacity from 9.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 15.5 mtpa. Post-expansion the refinery will be able to produce automotive fuels complying with Euro-IV and Euro-V specifications. The entire residue from the expanded refining capacity will be upgraded to value-added distillates and coke.