GACL inaugurates India's largest chlorotoluenes plant at Dahej

With an annual production capacity of 30,000 tonnes, the newly inaugurated plant is set to generate nearly 1,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities. GACL will utilise chlorine in-house to produce high-value, chlorine-based chemicals such as benzyl chloride, benzyl alcohol, and benzaldehyde.

The facility is also expected to enhance India’s export footprint, with plans to ship products to key global markets including Europe, America, and South Asia. Through these exports, GACL anticipates earning approximately ₹130 crore in foreign exchange annually, GACL said in a press release.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister congratulated the GACL team and praised the company’s impressive 50-year journey of growth, innovation, and industrial development.

Avantika Singh, IAS, managing director of GACL and secretary to the Chief Minister, shared that GACL, established in 1973 as a Gujarat government initiative, now operates three production units—two in Dahej and one in Vadodara. The company manufactures more than 35 products, including caustic soda, and boasts an annual production capacity exceeding 8,00,000 metric tonnes.

GACL also holds the distinction of being India’s sole manufacturer of sodium chlorate and hydrazine hydrate, underlining its position as a pioneer in the country’s chemical sector.

Present at the virtual ceremony were chief secretary Pankaj Joshi, Chief Minister’s advisor S S Rathore, additional chief secretary Manoj Kumar Das, GIDC MD Praveena DK, and senior GACL executives alongside local administration officials.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)