Page 108 - Tata_Chemicals_yearly-reports-2019-20

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6 largest producer of Bicarb globally, with a total annual capacity category to offer new and value-added products that could
of 2.3 lakh tonnes in India and the uK. address the needs of different segments, reaching them directly or
through tCpl, depending on the nature of the consuming sector.
the Indian Bicarb market grew by approximately 7% in FY 2019-20.
the demand for Bicarb was largely balanced throughout the year. Cement
Imports remained in line with previous year levels. an increase In addition to soda ash, salt and sodium bicarbonate, the Company
in supplies was met through higher throughput from capacity also manufactures cement as part of its integrated operations at
expansions of domestic producers. adequate supplies and easing the Mithapur site. the operation of the cement plant demonstrates
of international prices also led to price softening. prices saw a the Company’s commitment to the environment; it utilises fly ash
decline of 8% during the year and the Company achieved sales of and other solid waste generated at the site. With a special focus
1.09 lakh tonnes. on quality and key customer requirements, the Company’s cement
portfolio offers high-quality Cement with a strong customer
Key drivers of Bicarb growth continue to be food, feed and service infrastructure in the targeted markets. In May 2019, the
pharma segments. the emerging flue gas treatment segment Company relaunched its ordinary portland Cement (opC) with
appears to be another promising sector for Bicarb consumption. “Superior 1-day strength” to meet specific customer needs of
Mid-capacity power plants in India hold key to this demand. early high strength cement. also in sync with market demand,
the Company won the first tender for this trial order from portland pozzolana Cement (ppC) was introduced to expand the
government-owned power plants. However, lower plant product offerings.
load factors curtailed immediate continuity of this demand.
the Company’s Bicarb brands, ‘Sodakarb’, ‘alkakarb’ and the Company now offers three products, including Masonry
‘Medikarb’, scaled higher volumes, registering double digit growth. cement. In FY 2019-20, the gujarat Cement market experienced
Medikarb is now an established product for the haemodialysis a demand contraction by 9% due to a combination of factors like
segment and is increasing its reach and penetration. the Company weak economy and extended monsoons. However, better market
has introduced ‘Speckarb’, a new brand with low chlorides to meet prices supported profitability. Combined Cement and Clinker sales
specific customer requirements of specialised Bicarb. the Company volumes at 3.95 lakh tonnes were lower by 2% compared to the
continues to explore new opportunities to retain its volume and previous year’s performance.
value leadership in the Bicarb market. the various developments in
Bicarb undertaken by the Company are an expansion of the Bicarb Business Performance
capacity at its uK plant, the Carbon Capture expansion project, etc. tCl’s Indian Basic Chemistry products business unit maintained
the performance of the past years, amidst sequential drops
Salt in quarterly gdp growth and slowing consumer demand.
Being a food ingredient, salt did not experience demand profitability was supported by reduction in input costs on account
challenges, even when Covid-19 affected demand for most of the of fuel and as a result of cost control programmes. during the year
sectors. the demand continued to be strong and the increased under review, the Company executed its operational excellence
salt production helped the Company to capitalise on the demand initiatives with rigour, leading to reasonable cost optimisation
growth. the Company’s long-term Supply agreement (‘ltSa’) across all functions.
with tata Consumer products limited (erstwhile tata global the Company targets a Zero Harm - Zero Harm to people, asset
Beverages limited) [‘tCpl’], will support the Company’s growth and environment. While the Company is continuously striving
and investment plans for capacity-building. the ltSa provides to improve its safety performance, the Mithapur site witnessed
for supply of vacuum-evaporated edible salt as a take or pay one unfortunate fatality in January 2020. all the incidents that
arrangement for an initial period of 25 years, with the option of take place are investigated and corrective measures are taken to
extending this on mutual agreement. tCl recorded the highest prevent the recurrence of the incidents. It has led the Company
production of salt at 10.78 lakh tonnes compared to the previous to introspect and now the Company is working on evaluating
year high of 10.68 lakh tonnes. the Company plans to increase innovative solutions to monitor the health and safety of its
the Salt production capacity in order to meet growing demand of employees and contract employees working at critical areas or
Indian market. remote locations. during the year, the Company also increased its
focus on process safety at the site.
as part of its strategy of value addition and portfolio expansion,
the Company is exploring various ideas for new value-added salt When it comes to sustainability, the Company continues to
variants. the Company’s Innovation Centre and the marketing aim beyond compliance requirements and sets the industry
teams are working on the development of new products in this agenda with initiatives related to the environment and local

106 I Integrated annual report 2019-20