Overview

Introduction
The Deepak Group of industries was born in 1970 when Mr. C. K. Mehta set up Deepak Nitrite Ltd, combining his skills in trading and manufacturing. The company grew by leaps and bounds, surpassing expectations of all investors and also won many prestigious awards like the Sir P.C.Ray award, for being the best Chemical Industrial unit in India.

In 1983, Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Limited (DFPCL) started commercial production of ammonia (in technical collaboration with Fish International Engineers (USA)) using natural gas as feedstock. This marked the fulfillment of a need for lateral integration into the world of basic building block chemicals, premium fertilisers and petrochemicals. At the time, this was India's only merchant ammonia manufacturer. The International Finance Corporation initially supported this venture of Deepak group in the form of equity participation in DFPCL.

The company undertook major expansion and diversification in 1989 to achieve forward integration of ammonia and diversification in Methanol.

In July 1992, DFPCL commenced commercial production of Low Density Ammonium Nitrate (LDAN), Nitro Phosphate (NP), Dilute Nitric Acid (DNA), and Concentrated Nitric Acid (CNA).

This has resulted in a multi-product portfolio for DFPCL consisting of chemicals, petrochemicals, fertilisers and other agri-inputs. To ensure an uninterrupted supply of natural gas to its plant, DFPCL laid its own 43 km gas pipeline from the coastal fall point of Bombay High to its plants in Tajola, thus becoming one of the first companies in India to have its own gas pipeline.

DFPCL has a chemical storage terminal at Jawarharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) to provide support to its logistics management system and ensure a window to the world trade in chemicals. It is in the process of adding new storage facilities for Ammonia, Methanol and other products. The company also leases port storage capacities at Bombay Port Trust and Vishakhapatnam.

DFPCL's business can be broadly categorised into the following divisions: -

Industrial Chemicals: This division of DFPCL manufactures Methanol, various grades of Nitric Acid and Ammonia. DFPCL is one of the largest producers of Methanol in India, which in turn is used to manufacture drugs, pharmaceuticals, DMT, pesticides, methylamines, formaldehyde, etc. DFPCL is also one of the largest manufactures various concentrations of Nitric Acid (60%, 68%, 72% and 98%)... more.

Ammonium Nitrate: The explosives division manufactures Low Density Ammonium Nitrate, which is used for making Ammonium Nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO), blasting agents and also emulsified ANFO (HANFO). DFPCL is the largest manufacturer of ammonium nitrate in India (capacity expanded to 100.000 tpa in September 2002), and the only one making prilled Ammonium Nitrate (AN). Their products are used for open cast mining, underground metalliferrous mining and construction Industry... more.

(See presentation on Chemicals related products of DFPCL)

Agri-Inputs Marketing: This division of DFPCL manufactures 23:23:0 prilled Nitrophosphate fertiliser under the brand name Mahadhan. DFPCL markets Mahadhan through a network of over 1000 dealers. Thanks to the company's rigorous adherence to quality, Mahadhan is one of most widely accepted fertiliser brands in India... more.

(See presentation on Agriculture related products of DFPCL)

Social Responsibilities
The Deepak Group has been contributing towards social causes for nearly two decades. The Deepak charitable Trust (DCT) and the Deepak Medical Foundation (DMF) with the support of DFPCL and Deepak Nitrite Limited are carrying on development activities for society.

DCT has been actively working in the area of mother and childcare. Through an integrated network of women health workers the foundation has been imparting training and communication on health care. Extending the activities on both sides, the Foundation has catalysed and supported the creation of Aanganwadis, and taken education to youth on family planning. The Foundation is now working to curtail the spread of HIV / AIDS.

DFPCL takes an active interest in environmental protection. In addition to regulatory requirements of the State Pollution Boards and Federation of Indian Industries, care is taken to reduce pollution by incorporation of appropriate effluent handling disposal systems.

In our plants we continuously monitor solid, semisolid and gaseous affluent discharges to ensure that they are within allowable limits. We also help other small industries as well as customers in solving their environment- related problems.

Future Prospects
DFPCL will continue to make deeper inroads into value-added chemicals, agro inputs and related services.

DFPCL plans to leverage its well-knit marketing and distribution network in chemicals and fertiliser industry to provide value-added services to their customers for sourcing raw materials and assisting them in exporting their products. The chemical storage and drumming facilities at Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) near Bombay will provide further value-added services.

We are awaiting environmental clearance for a new port storage facility at JNPT.

Deeper in-roads into agro-inputs and services markets are on the drawing board, including the MAHADHAN Agriculture Research Centre (MARC), which will serve to partner with farmers, providing education, training and ensuring that they achieve the best performabce

Dreams of visionary minds and planned strategy by professional managers will give shape to an emerging, exciting future at DFPCL.