Plans include a PP and lube oil base stock project, named LuPech, an acrylics/oxo-alcohol project, which will produce butyl acrylate, along with other infrastructure measures at the site.

IOC did not reveal a timeframe for the projects. However, it commented: “These projects will strengthen the corporation's readiness for venturing into petrochemical projects like PVC, styrene, acrylonitrile, polymethyl methacrylate and ethylene oxide in future.”

The company also signed another agreement with the Gujarat government to establish certain infrastructure measures at Dumad in Vadodara. These include a tank truck loading facility for linear alkyl benzene, a feedstock for the detergent industry, a new flare system at the refinery and a hydrogen dispensing facility for fuel cell electric vehicles.

“IOC’s Gujarat refinery is now poised to grow to 18 million t/y. New units for PP, butyl acrylate and lube oil base stocks will also be added to the refinery’s portfolio,” said chairman Shri Vaidya.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist