New Delhi : India's ammonia production sector continues
to depend on imported natural gas for nearly 77% of its feedstock requirements,
highlighting the need for greater operational efficiency, technological
innovation and knowledge-sharing across the industry, said Dr. Suresh Kumar
Chaudhari, Director General, Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), at the
Group Discussion on "Operation and Maintenance Problems of Ammonia
Plants" being held in Durgapur, West Bengal.
The four-day programme,
organised by FAI from June 3-6, has brought together over 50 senior engineers
and technical professionals from 25 ammonia plants across 19 locations in the
country to deliberate on plant reliability, maintenance practices, energy efficiency,
process safety and operational excellence.
Addressing the gathering,
Dr. Chaudhari noted that ammonia remains the backbone of India's nitrogenous
fertiliser industry and a critical component of the country's food security
ecosystem. He highlighted that India currently operates at 36 ammonia plants
with a combined installed capacity of nearly 19 million tonnes, making
operational reliability and energy efficiency essential for sustaining domestic
fertiliser production.
"Ammonia production is
one of the most energy-intensive industrial processes and remains central to
the entire nitrogen value chain. Continuous improvements in plant operations,
maintenance practices and energy efficiency are critical not only for improving
competitiveness but also for strengthening India's fertiliser security,"
he said.
Dr. Chaudhari also pointed
out that while the industry has commissioned several state-of-the-art ammonia
plants in recent years, a significant number of facilities have been operating
for 25-50 years, requiring continuous upgradation, innovation and best-practice
sharing to maintain high levels of efficiency and safety.
Highlighting the sector's
sustainability journey, he noted that India's fertiliser industry has reduced
greenhouse gas emissions roughly by 50% over the last four decades through
technology adoption, process improvements and energy conservation measures,
making it one of the country's most efficient industrial sectors.
The group discussion has
been designed as an interactive knowledge-sharing platform, enabling plant
professionals to discuss real-world operational challenges and learn from the
collective experience of industry peers. Senior leaders from Matix Fertilisers
& Chemicals Ltd., HURL, IFFCO, and NFL are participating in the
deliberations.
The programme also includes
a technical visit to Matix Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd.'s facility at
Panagarh, offering participants first-hand exposure to modern ammonia plant
operations and maintenance practices.
FAI regularly organises such
technical forums to promote operational excellence, improve plant performance
and support the long-term sustainability of India's fertiliser sector.