Coromandel International Ltd, India’s leading fertiliser manufacturer, has with its joint venture partners inaugurated a 1.4-million-tonne phosphoric acid plant in Tunisia on Friday.

The Tunisian Indian Fertilisers (TIFERT) is a venture between Coromandel and Gujarat State Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd (GSFC) and Tunisia's Groupe Chimique Tunisien (GCT) and Compagnie Des Phosphat De Gafsa (CPG) (both are Government of Tunisia entities).

The plant will consume around 1.4 mt of Tunisian phosphate rock per year, producing 360,000 tonnes of phosphoric acid annually. It is equipped with the latest technology and meets the international environment efficiency standards, according to a press release.

The plant has started production and the first shipment is expected to reach Coromandel’s facility in Kakinada (AP) by month-end.

In the joint venture, Coromandel International and GSFC hold 15 per cent share each in this $498 million project with the balance 70 per cent being held by GCT and CPG, respectively.

>Somasekhar.m@thehindu.co.in

comment COMMENT NOW