Coal India Limited (CIL) and Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore setting up a coal gasification-based ammonia and urea plant at HURL's fertiliser unit in Sindri, Jharkhand, Rural Voice reports.
Coal gasification turns coal into synthesis gas, which can then be used to make ammonia and, from it, urea. The plan would use India's large domestic coal reserves as feedstock in place of natural gas.
The partners say the project aims to support energy security and fertiliser self-reliance and to reduce India's dependence on imported fertilisers and natural gas. It brings together CIL's experience in coal with HURL's in running large ammonia-urea plants.
The MoU was signed in the presence of senior officials of both companies, including HURL managing director Dr Siba Prasad Mohanty. It is an agreement to explore the project; no investment figure, capacity or timetable was announced.
Urea is the most widely used fertiliser in South Asia, and supplies of the gas that most urea plants run on have been under strain, which is why producers are looking at other feedstocks.
Photo: Xyzabc1817 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Source: Rural Voice
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