Page 113 - Tata_Chemicals_yearly-reports-2019-20

Integrated report Statutory reportS FInancIal StatementS
Management Discussion and Analysis

with supplies across South-east asia after product qualification the Company is evaluating significant expansion of its existing
from the new facility. there has also been considerable progress silica capacity with a focus on next-gen HdS products and on
in the qualification process by major global consumers of exploring product and market growth adjacencies to build a larger
FoS (fructo-oligosaccharide) and the feedback has been Material Sciences portfolio.
encouraging. the qualification is in progress and is expected to
be favourably concluded soon. Nano Zinc Oxide
under the Specialty products portfolio, the Company has entered
due to Covid-19, many tCl customers are likely to defer into the production of nano Zinc oxide, which was developed
new product introduction, particularly the Food & Beverage at the Innovation Centre in pune and has multiple applications
customers, while additional sales opportunities are expected for its anti-microbial, anti-fungus and uV-blocking properties.
from nutraceuticals companies, particularly in the area of the Company collaborated with a customer to harness the anti-
immunity and gut health. the Company is re-calibrating its plans microbial and anti-viral properties of nZno amidst the pandemic.
as the situation evolves. Currently, it is finding use in face masks as an added layer of
protection against Covid-19. the Company is at present working
Material Sciences with paints, Coatings & adhesives, plastics & polymers and personal
Care & Cosmetics industries to build the portfolio. It would be
Silica & Highly Dispersible Silica (‘HDS’) focussing on nano-materials linked to nano-adhesives and nano-
precipitated silica is a highly versatile product that finds application formulations aimed at anti-viral and antimicrobial application.
in a wide range of industries, including tyres, non-tyre rubber
goods for industrial (e.g. conveyor belts and hoses), consumer Energy Sciences
applications (e.g. footwear) and several non-rubber essential lithium-ion cells are one of the most critical components in an
products like packaged food, feed, oral care, agro-chemicals, electric Vehicle, which is seen as the preferred mode of transport
detergents, etc. for a less polluted future. With its inherent strengths in chemistry,
tCl is creating a platform to become a world-class provider
tCl’s wide range of conventional silica and HdS products allows of cutting-edge and disruptive electro-chemistry solutions for
it to participate in this large domestic and global market poised energy Storage. It has a unique opportunity to build a truly circular
for significant growth. While FY 2019-20 witnessed some short- economy around lithium-ion technology, starting from active
term challenges in select application segments, the overall market materials to cell and battery manufacturing and finally to recycling
critical materials from used batteries.
demand growth remained healthy in line with gdp growth.
the Company believes that long-term trends, like tightening the Company is partnering with leading battery makers around
automotive emission standards, would drive demand for high- the world for contemporary commercial cells, global r&d labs
performance and fuel-efficient green tyres, which need superior for next-generation technologies and Indian r&d centres (like
materials like HdS. the Company has seen a similar demand ISro and Council of Scientific and Industrial research - Central
growth for high-performance silica products in other application electro Chemical research Institute [CSIr-CeCrI]) for indigenous
segments, like non-tyre rubber goods and non-rubber segments, development of actives, cells and recycling. tCl also has interests
many of which are supported by a robust demand base of essential in some of the newer chemistries that are under development in
the labs and it is working actively with some of the leading global
products.
players in the segment.
In this business, FY 2019-20 marked the start of commercial For manufacturing, it has invested in a plant site of over 127 acres
production and subsequent ramp-up of sales volumes, driven of land in dholera, gujarat. this site can house the manufacturing
by the launch of several new product grades and expansion of of actives, cells and batteries up to 10 gWh per annum, as well
customer base and distribution network. tCl expects to accelerate as recycling operations. the lithium-ion cells and battery packs
this growth momentum in FY 2020-21 despite significant market with lithium Iron phosphate (lFp) and lithium nickel Manganese
headwinds related to Covid-19. It plans to do so by broadening Cobalt oxide (nMC) chemistry in cylindrical and pouch forms will
and deepening its customer base and delivering on its unique find application in the automotive sector, as well as stationary
value proposition: a cutting-edge portfolio leveraging its HdS energy storage.
platform technology; consistent product quality enabled by strict tCl has established a Battery pack engineering Centre in pune, in
process and quality control; post-sales application support out of collaboration with tata technologies. Its scientists at the Innovation
its r&d lab, with deep materials knowhow; and a quick and reliable Centre in pune are working on the cell and active manufacturing
order fulfilment, leveraging the larger SCM and customer service technologies. Making use of its capabilities, tCl has also launched
capabilities of tCl. battery recycling operations.

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