The Imperial Chemicals Industries (ICI) Pakistan on Thursday announced an investment of Rs 915 million in its Soda Ash Business at Khewra Punjab to expand its plant capacity by 50,000 tons per annum besides improved operating efficiencies and higher productivity. This investment is inline with its continued commitment towards development of import substitution industries to cater to local demand. It is noted that year 2004 marked 60th anniversary of ICI Pakistan's Soda Ash plant at Khewra. ICI has been investing in expansion of its Soda Ash manufacturing facilities consistently to ensure demand for this essential raw material is adequately met.
Through a number of expansions during the years nameplate capacity has been increased to 225,000 tons per annum. Most recent modernisation and expansion in 2002 encompasses installation of DCS Control System, 5.2 MW co-generation installation and de-bottlenecking of various units, at total cost of Rs 525 million.
The ISO-9002 certified business diversified its product range in 1995 with commissioning of a 10,000 tons Refined Sodium Bicarbonate (RSB) plant. The original nameplate capacity of 10 ktpa was consolidated and exceeded during subsequent years.
Being market leader and in order to sustain its position in the market business undertook to enhance production of RSB by increasing its nameplate capacity to 20 kpta through de-bottlenecking/expansion project completed in 2004.
In 2004, Soda Ash Business sales and margins improved and customer demand was strong. Aggregate sales volumes for Business at 255,363 tons were new records, surpassing 2001 record, when it sold 240,570 tons.
ICI Pakistan's Soda Ash plant is currently meeting about 75 per cent of country's requirement by using locally made equipment, raw material, and providing savings to foreign exchange reserves.
Soda Ash market in Pakistan is continuing to grow and ICI's experience in Business in these 60 years is asset to the company in face of changing markets and emergent competition.
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