Prakash Chemicals Agencies Newsletter Aug 2023

Caustic potash, scientifically known as potassium hydroxide (KOH), stands as a crucial chemical compound with a wide array of applications across several industries. This strong alkaline substance is produced through the electrolysis of brine derived from potassium chloride and water. Its reactivity, corrosiveness, and heat-generating characteristics upon dissolution in water or alcohol make it a versatile ingredient in various industrial processes.

In the dynamic landscape of chemical consumption, India's demand for caustic potash has witnessed a substantial upsurge. This surge can be attributed to its integral role in the manufacturing of phosphates, neutralization agents, batteries, and a range of potassium-based chemicals like acetates, cyanides, permanganates, and citrates. According to recent reports, the caustic potash market in India experienced a significant growth, reaching a volume of 125,040.0 tons in the year 2022. Looking ahead, market analysts at IMARC Group project a continued upward trajectory, estimating that the market will expand to 157,304.9 tons by the year 2028. This projection indicates an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% during the period spanning 2023 to 2028.

Diverse Applications in Varied Industries

1. Agrochemicals: One of the primary applications of KOH lies in the realm of agrochemicals. It is a valuable resource for fertilizer production, offering a potent source of potassium—an essential nutrient for plant growth. KOH-based fertilizers play a vital role in nourishing crops, especially those that are sensitive to chloride ions.

2. Chemical Industry: The caustic potash compound also finds extensive utility within the chemical industry. Its usage extends to the refining of petroleum and natural gas, where it aids in the removal of organic acids and sulfur compounds. Additionally, KOH serves as a catalyst in the production of biodiesel from fats and oils. Its proficiency in absorbing gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur trioxide (SO3), and nitrogen trioxide (NO3) further solidifies its place in this industry.

3. Cosmetic Industry: In the cosmetic sector, KOH emerges as a fundamental raw material for the production of various personal care products. Lotions, shampoos, hairsprays, and other cosmetic formulations benefit from the chemical's contributions. It is especially favored in shaving products due to its effectiveness in aiding hair removal.

4. Energy and Battery Production: The energy sector significantly benefits from caustic potash's unique properties. It is employed as an electrolyte in multiple battery types, such as nickel-cadmium, manganese dioxide-zinc, and alkaline batteries. Its appeal in battery and fuel cell manufacturing arises from its superior electrical conductivity when compared to sodium hydroxide solutions.

In Conclusion : The escalating demand for caustic potash in India underscores its pivotal role across diverse industries. Its origin in the electrolysis of brine showcases the potential of harnessing chemical reactions for numerous applications. From enhancing agricultural productivity and enabling cleaner energy solutions to refining petroleum and enhancing personal care products, caustic potash has truly carved its place as an indispensable component within the tapestry of modern industrial processes. As the market continues to grow, its multifaceted contributions are set to shape the landscape of various sectors for years to come.

Dishant Sevak

• The last few weeks have seen a steady flow of grim news from chemical companies and industry associations in Europe. While some sectors of the industry are relatively better placed than others, all are facing a contraction in demand and the fiscal consequences of falling margins, as operating rates fall to reflect the decline in demand.
• The significant growth of the chemical and allied industries in India has increased the need for transporting chemicals – often extremely hazardous ones.
• American energy major, Exxon Mobil, has made its first commercial sale of certified-circular Exceed branded polyethylene (PE) polymers in India which can be used in food packaging to the Noida-based flexible packaging company, Uflex.
• The Chlor-Alkali industry in India is facing challenging times, with price realizations on its two main products – Caustic Soda and chlorine falling. In this respect, the industry’s challenges are no different from those faced by the broad chemical industry. But given the intrinsically fundamental nature of the Chlor-Alkali industry and the fact that its products serve a wide range of applications, this too shall pass.
• Chennai-based Chemplast Sanmar Ltd. (CSL) is planning to invest Rs.1,000-crore for expanding capacities of speciality paste polyvinyl chloride (PVC) unit at Cuddalore and the Custom Manufactured Chemicals Division (CMCD) unit at Berigai.
• To enhance trade facilitation and ease the process for exporters, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has introduced new measures under the advance authorisation scheme. The scheme enables duty-free import of inputs for export purposes, with the eligibility of inputs determined by sector-specific norms committee based on input-output norms.
• Encouraged by the Central Government’s promotion of ethanol with purchase guarantees, several sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh (UP) have increased Ethanol production.
• Brenntag, the German chemical distribution major, has been appointed as the exclusive distributor by Navi Mum-bai-based Quality Speciality Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. in Asia Pacifi c for industrial lubricant additives packages and components, metalworking fluids packages, rust preventives, and corrosion inhibitors.
• The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has issued a directive ordering Hikal Ltd. to cease operations at its Bharuch plant, citing violations pertaining to certain provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• According to the latest data released by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), India has emerged as the second largest exporter of agrochemicals in the world. The rank was sixth, 10 years ago.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launched ‘Urea Gold’ – a new variety of urea that is coated with sulphur – in Rajasthan’s Sikar recently.
• Four workers at a chemical factory in Surat died after inhaling toxic fumes. The incident occurred at the godown of Neelam Industries in Mota Borsara village on August 2. The workers were shifting drums of chemicals when the incident happened, according to the police.The owner of the godown has been detained and a case under Section 304.
• Pune-based speciality chemicals company, Harmony Organics, has raised Rs. 225-crore from Piramal Alternatives, the fund management business of the Piramal Group, to tap into growing global opportunities in the fragrance and flavour industry.
• India’s top oil and gas producer, ONGC, is planning to set up two oil-to-chemical (O2C) plants to convert crude oil directly into high-value chemical products as it prepares for the energy transition that is shaking up the industry worldwide.
• The Indian plastics market, currently valued at around Rs. 3.5-lakh-crores,is expected to almost triple to reach Rs. 10-lakh-crores by 2027-28, according to the All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA).

A group of?best friends?decided to have their alumni get together at the residence of one of their favorite university Professor. The Professor was very popular among?university students?and had been?mentor?for many of them. They finalized to make a surprise visit to Professor. All planning was done and on predefined date they visited their most popular and old university Professor’s house.

It was quite a?happy moment?for not only Professor; but even for the all friends (Students of Professor) also as some of them were meeting after a long time. Everyone was trying to know whereabouts and the developments in their friends life after leaving college. They shared with each other, how did they move ahead in life. Few became a?good leaders?having senior positions in corporate world; whereas few were doing good in the business world. All of them had got married and having wonderful?family. Everyone had his/her own?timing of life?in achieving the milestones. There was quality conversation going on, but somehow the conversation soon diverted to complaints about work, relationships, ‘Stress‘ & ‘Tension’ in life.

The Professor offered them coffee and went to kitchen to ask his wife to prepare coffee for all his students. After 10-15 minutes, his wife brought coffee in different kinds of cups !!! (crystal cups, glass cups, ceramic cups, shining ones, some plain looking, some ordinary, some exquisite and some expensive ones …) The students thought that Professor may not have the same kind of cups and due to large number of guests; his wife has served the coffee in different cups.

When all of them had a cup in hand, The Professor said, “If you noticed, all the nice looking & expensive cups are taken up, leaving behind the ordinary, plain and cheap ones !!!”

It was a surprising moment, as nobody noticed that there were some extra cups of coffee and while having their cup, nobody took the ordinary cups and all of them were left on the serving tray.

The Professor continued, “Every one of you wanted the best CUPS.?While it is, of course normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that can also be the source of much of your dissatisfaction, problems and stress and tension in life.”

All the friends got?confused?and were looking towards the Professor; they could not understand; what’s the connection with having a coffee in chosen cup with the?STRESS?and TENSION of life.

Professor continued further and explained after seeing their curious face, “Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases, it is just more expensive; and in some cases even it hides what we drink. What you really wanted was COFFEE, not the CUP ! But you consciously went for the best Cups… and then you began eyeing each other’s cups.”

Always remember one thing,?If life is Coffee; and jobs, money, status or position in society & love etc. are the Cups !!!?They are just tools to hold and contain life. The type of cup we have does not define or change the quality of life we live. Please don’t let the CUPS drive you !! Enjoy the COFFEE …!!!”

Moral of the Story:

We keep our focus on outside Beauty and Appearance, whereas; the real quality and value lies inside. Savor the coffee and not the cups ! The happiest people in this world don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best out of everything.

Morality is the behavior and beliefs that a society deems acceptable. Morality is a system of beliefs which state an act can be considered on its moral grounds and then judged as either wrong or right.

The system or process of morality implies that an individual can make a decision based on moral grounds.”

Morality is an important concept that?guides the behavior and decisions of individuals in a society. It is the foundation of ethical conduct, helping us to distinguish right from wrong.

Morality refers to?the set of standards that enable people to live cooperatively in groups. It's what societies determine to be “right” and “acceptable.” Sometimes, acting in a moral manner means individuals must sacrifice their own short-term interests to benefit society Morality isn’t fixed.

What’s considered acceptable in your culture might not be acceptable in another culture. Geographical regions, religion, family, and life experiences all influence morals.?

Moral development occurred as a person’s ability to set aside their selfish needs and replaced by the values of important socializing.

There are different theories as to how morals are developed. However, most theories acknowledge the external factors (parents, community, etc.) that contribute to a child's moral development. These morals are intended to benefit the group that has created them.

The common morality examples that you may have been taught growing up, and may have even passed on to younger generations are : Be polite, Have?Empathy, Don’t Steal, Tell the Truth and Treat others as you want to be treated.

The main purpose of morality - "To keep society from falling apart", "To ameliorate human suffering", "To promote human flourishing", "To resolve conflicts of interest in just and orderly ways", and "To assign praise and blame, reward the good and punish the guilty".

It is very important for us as human beings to bear good and solid moral values like helping others, honesty , righteousness, decency, and even self-decency. People that have great moral values are very indispensable asset to others and even the society at large.

1. Solve below question:

2 + 10 = 48

3 + 6 = 54

7 + 2 = 126

9 + 3 = ??

1. A man was alone in a dark room where he has only one match, one oil lamp, a fireplace, and a candle. For light which he choose first?
2. I have many feathers to help me fly. I have a body and a head, but I’m not alive. It is your strength which determines how far I go.
3. You can hold me in your hand, but I’m never thrown. What am I?
4. What means “52 C in a P”