Page 55 - Plastics News May 2017

BUSINESS NEWS

Reliance partners with Germany's Petrochemicals complex

Resysta for wood composite planned on FACT land in Kochi

technology he Kerala government plans to take over 600 acre

eliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has entered into a license Tof FACT land to set up a petrochemicals complex.
Ragreement with Germany’s Resysta International GmbH The complex is expected to involve an expenditure
giving RIL exclusive rights of production and marketing for of r1,866 crore and the money will be raised through
RelWood, a natural fibre polymer composite (NFPC), in Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB),
India. This compound will be the raw material for the said Industies Minister A.C. Moideen at press conference
production of sheets & various profiles used in a wide range here. Rs 1,866 cr. needed as investment to be raised
of wood & plywood replacement applications. “Through through KIIFB, says Industries Minister. Out of a total
this strategic partnership with Resysta, RIL is looking of 40 State public sector undertakings, 13 are in
forward to produce the RelWood compound exclusively in profit. Among them, KMML Chavara had improved its
order to meet the fast-growing demand of real alternative performance significantly and netted a profit of more
to tropical wood. This agreement is further evidence than r40 crore, he said. Among the other units doing
of RIL’s commitment to well were Travancore Cochin Chemicals, Malabar
sustainable initiatives Cements and Travancore Cements in Kottayam. The
based on innovative process for taking over
technology. Resysta is a Palakkad Instrumentation
leading German innovator, Unit was on. It had also
and together we will offer been decided that units
Indian consumers cutting such as Traco Cables,
edge technological product KEL, UEIL and TELK would
as an alternative to natural get 15 per cent price
wood,” commented Vipul preference and 40 per
Shah, COO Petchem, Reliance Industries. cent order preference
from the Kerala State
Resysta’s RelWood is made out of environmentally friendly Electricity Board. An
resins comprising natural silicates, polymer & specialised accord to this effect was
blend of additives. It is an attractive, sustainable not forged at a joint meeting
plastic alternative to wood. Its unique properties like of the Industries and Electricity Ministers. The losses
water resistant, fire retardant, UV & termite resistant, made by public sector undertakings in Kerala had come
bend & moulding flexibility make it different and more down to r71.34 crore during 2016-17 from r131.60 crore
user-friendly, attractive alternative to wood. One can during the previous financial year.
nail & screw the material. Bernd Duna, CEO of Resysta
International, added, “We are currently licensing our The government had also initiated steps to maintain
technology across the world, and have found in Reliance cement prices at the level of neighbouring States.
Industries our perfect partner for India. By manufacturing Steps had also been taken to control pollution and to
the Resysta compound locally, the products become increase the quality of products from institutions such
even more environment friendly and easily available. as Travancore Titanium Products and Kerala Minerals
As a leading petrochemicals manufacturer in India, RIL and Metals Limited. The government had taken steps
is ideally poised to manufacture on a par with our high to take over 150 acres in Chittoor, which had allegedly
worldwide standard. We look forward to continuing been polluted by the KMML, he said. The government
Resysta’s success story in India in partnership with RIL.” was also taking steps to set up a plant to process mineral
The market for medium-density fiberboard (MDF) - a high sand from the coast in an environment-friendly manner.
grade, composite material – is estimated at Rs 1,500 crores The State Budget had allotted r35.56 crore for textiles
(550,000 MT) and is high capital intensive and thus have cooperatives; four other mills in the cooperative sector
only organised segment operating, with Greenply having had been given r24.30 crore and r15 crore had been
the largest share of 30 percent. allotted for buying raw materials, the Minister said.

55 May 2017 | Plastics News