DCM Shriram Starts New Caustic Soda Flakes Plant in Gujarat

02 Apr 2025 CW Team

Shriram has expanded its chemical production capacity by commissioning a new caustic soda flakes plant with a daily production capacity of 300 tonnes at its chemicals complex in Jhagadia, Bharuch district, Gujarat. This addition increases the total caustic soda flakes production capacity at the Bharuch facility to 900 tonnes per day, positioning it among the largest single-location caustic soda flakes manufacturing units in India.

The newly commissioned plant is identical to the unit that began operations in October of the previous year. Designed as a flexi-fuel facility, both plants are capable of operating on multiple fuel sources, enhancing sustainability and operational efficiency.

Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, is a widely used industrial chemical with applications in several industries, including textiles, pulp and paper, alumina, soaps and detergents, petroleum refining, and water treatment. It is available in two primary forms—liquid (lye) and solid (flakes). Caustic soda flakes are particularly advantageous for long-distance transportation and are preferred for export due to their ease of handling and storage.

With an installed capacity of one million tonnes per annum, the company ranks as the second-largest producer of caustic soda in India. The expansion of its production capabilities reinforces its position in the industry and strengthens its ability to meet domestic and international demand.

News source: The Week

Infrastructure Transport

13 Oct 2025

Tata, Airbus to Build India’s First Private Helicopter Line

In a landmark development for India’s aerospace sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus will establish the country’s first private-sector helicopter assembly line in Vemagal, Karnataka. The facility will manufacture the Airbus H125 and H125M, marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in aviation and defence manufacturing. The new Final Assembly Line (FAL) will produce the H125, the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, known for its versatility and performance in extreme environments. The first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected to ro..

NeGD to Support Bharat Taxi in Building Cooperative Ride Platform

In a significant move for India’s digital and mobility transformation, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) of the Digital India Corporation, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has entered into an advisory partnership with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the company behind Bharat Taxi — a first-of-its-kind, cooperative-led national ride-hailing platform. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between NeGD and Sahakar Taxi to provide strategic advisory and technical support covering key areas such as platform integration, cybersecurity..

MeitY Hosts Pre-Summit for India–AI Impact Summit 2026

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, hosted a series of Pre-Summit events for the upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026 at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 in New Delhi. These sessions mark a key milestone ahead of the main summit, scheduled for 19–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Delivering the inaugural address, S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, highlighted India’s innovative and frugal approach to AI development. “We have adopted innovative means by learning from others’ experiences to build projects and products that..