Godrej Industries has earmarked Rs 230 crore for setting up a new chemical manufacturing unit at Ambernath, near Mumbai and another Rs 75 crore for expanding its animal-feed arm, he said.
"The last quarter has been very positive for Godrej Industries--the chemical and agri-feeds subsidiaries have posted strong growths. We are looking at setting up 4-5 animal feed units at an investment of Rs 10-15 crore each in Maharashtra, UP and south India," GIL's Managing Director Nadir Godrej told PTI here today. However, he did not divulge any further details.
Godrej currently has 6-7 company-owned units besides operating 20-30 third party units. The total production capacity is around 1-million MTPA. The upcoming units will add another 1,00,000 MTPA to the existing ones, Godrej said.
"Animal feed contributes around 50 per cent of the total revenues of Godrej Agrovet (Rs 1,500 crore) and we expect a 15-20 per cent growth here this fiscal," Godrej added.
The company would be launching a new product in the animal feed category called 'Milk Replacer' for new-born calves. This will help the cattle produce more milk. On chemicals, the major revenue generator for Godrej Industries, he said the company plans an investment of Rs 230 crore to set up an oleochemicals (such as fatty acids and surfactants) plant at Ambernath.
Oleochemicals made from vegetable oils have applications in the manufacture of detergents and shampoos. "We have already acquired the land at Ambernath and are awaiting regulatory approvals from the Environment Ministry. The facility will be operational by FY'13 and will double our existing chemical manufacturing capacity," Godrej said.
The new plants will produce 1,00,000 tonnes of fatty acids and 30,000 tonnes of surfactants per annum, Godrej added. Asked about its palm oil business, Godrej said, "we expect good crop this fiscal." However, he did no elaborate.
Godrej Agrovet is also investing in its palm oil business by adding 5,000-8,000-hectares in West Bengal. It currently has 40,000 hectares under cultivation across the country.