Brahmaputra Polymer and Cracker Limited (BCPL) is making efforts to increase the market share in the northeastern region of polymers to maximize realization.
Of the total polymer sales of 272881 metric tonnes of polymers in 2019-20, the sales in Northeast was 32776 metric tonnes. In 2020-21, polymer sales was 305749 metric tonnes of which sales in Northeast was 36034 metric tonnes and in 21-22, the total polymer sales was 274753 metric tonnes of which sales in Northeast was 37,762 metric tonnes.
BCPL has set up a petrochemical complex at Lepetkata. Gas Authority of India is the main promoter with 70 percent of equity and the rest 30 percent is shared by Oil India Limited, Numaligarh Refinery Limited and Assam government.
During FY 21-22, 2.72 lakh MT Polymers and 55,923 MT liquid hydrocarbons were produced and the products were marketed to the downstream industries in accordance with the marketing arrangement with GAIL with Polymer sales of 2.75 lakh MT.
BCPL Polymer products-- Brahma-Lene and Brahma-Pol and other by-products enjoy increasing credibility in the market and with Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), the holding Company as the sole marketer in accordance with a marketing arrangement, the products and by-products are being sold in the north eastern region and beyond.
"Polymer sales are focused in the eastern, northern and southern regions to downstream industries with increasing market share. Efforts are on to increase the market share in the northeastern region to maximize realization. The state-wise polymer sales indicate majority sales in the states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam", the 21-22 annual report of BCPL said.
The company says there has been a continuous effort to prioritise sales in the north-eastern region. Taking advantage of its proximity, it exported 1370 metric tonnes of polymer to Bangladesh in 21-22 and is exploring the export potential in other members of ASEAN. The company is waiting for export prices to become lucrative to cash in on the opportunity and increase exports.
In the Northeast, polymer sales was highest in Assam (31513 metric tonnes) in 21-22.
"Despite adverse perceptions, Polymers, providing critical inputs to all major sectors in the economy, are matchless and the company is in an advantageous position to tap the available potential in the north-eastern region having the lowest per capita consumption (4 kg) in Polymers" the annual report said.
India is the world’s third largest Polymer consumer and Polymers in India account for approximately 68% of total production of basic major petrochemicals. With per capita consumption of only 11 kg, there is huge potential for growth in the country.
"Environmental concerns on the use of Plastic not withstanding, the dependence on the material in terms of durability and cost for an ever growing range of products is growing and both refineries with integrated petrochemical complexes as well as other domestic petrochemical players are expanding their petrochemical capacities" the report said.
The plant has operated at 100% capacity in FY 2021-22 maintaining the trend of above full capacity operation for last four years since FY 2018-19.
The company recently held its 15th annual general meeting in Guwahati. It earned a net profit of Rs 690.53 crores. It declared a 15 percent divided on paid up equity share.
After six years of successful operation, BCPL is now planning for capacity expansion and growth. M/s Lummus has been engaged for de-bottlenecking study of Ethylene Cracker Unit. Apart from that, feasibility study of Lakwa unit is being carried out to improve its production capacity.
Work on the Butene-1 and HPG-2 project which was delayed due to the impact of the pandemic has accelerated again and the project is expected to be commissioned in July, 2024.
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