Leverkusen [Germany]: Covestro AG has officially started up a new world-scale production facility in Tarragona, Spain for producing Chlorine. The plant is the first of its kind to utilize the highly innovative and energy efficient ODC (oxygen depolarized cathode) technology developed by Covestro and its partners. This advanced facility will ensure an efficient, sustainable, and independent supply of Chlorine and caustic soda to local MDI production operations – a precursor material used in the making of rigid Polyurethane foam for insulating buildings and refrigeration appliances. Their 200-million-euro investment not only secures their place in leading the industry but also created 50 new jobs on site. “The successful start-up of the new plant is good news, both economically and ecologically, for Covestro as well as for our site in Tarragona”, stated CEO Dr. Markus Steilemann. “The plant demonstrates how new technologies enable us to advance our vision of the circular economy and fur...

NEW DELHI: Indian poly vinyl industry can attract investment of about Rs 20,000 crore over 5-7 years if import duty of PVC & caustic soda is increased from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent, says a FICCI report. “Today, close to 50 per cent of the demand for PVC in the country is met by imports. When the country’s goal today is to ‘Make in India’, increased imports and lower manufacturing levels contribute to loss of potential employment and widening the current account deficit,” the report said. Indian import duties on Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) are lower than those in the developed world and in the ASEAN region. Imports of PVC, which were less than 5 per cent of the country’s demand 10 years ago, are now at almost 50 per cent and growing rapidly every year and are expected to reach to USD 3 billion in few years. Therefore, the import of PVC, which was less than 5 per cent of the country’s demand 10 years ago, is now at almost 50 per ce...