The HDPE and LLDPE producer has increased polymer production to 310,000tpa

The HDPE and LLDPE producer has increased polymer production to 310,000tpa

Indian HDPE and LLDPE producer GAIL India has increased its polymer production from 260,000tpa to 310,000tpa after completing the first part of an expansion programme. In the first phase it debottlenecked the downstream units at its petrochemicals plant in Pata, around 400km from New Delhi. The plant is centred around a gas cracker unit, which uses Mitsui technology.

The second phase of the Rs72.5m (E1.3m) investment programme will expand the plant and increase total production to 440,000tpa, nearly double its current level. Work is expected to be completed by April 2006.

GAIL sells around 80% of its production in the domestic market where it competes with other Indian producers. Output from the expansion is being targeted at customers in the northern part of the country where GAIL expects its market share to increase from 50% to 55% following completion. The company said its Pata plant recorded its highest-ever profit of more than Rs6m (E111,000) in the 2003-2004 fiscal year.