Futuristic in approach and committed to the environment

BCPL has implemented a lot of lucrative schemes for the growth of petrochemical industries in Assam. Apart from the normal Commitment Incentive Scheme (CIS) for all customers including those of Northeast, BCPL also offers special incentive schemes called the NEEDS (North-East Entrepreneur Development Scheme) specifically to NE customers for promoting polymer sales particularly in the NE region. Also BCPL attempts to monitor emissions with well-placed real time monitoring systems. While focusing on growth, the company is also considering various Clean Technology Scenarios (CTS) to curb air and water pollution and simultaneously reduce CO2 emissions. 

Please elaborate on the ongoing flagship projects of BCPL.

BCPL is setting up two new projects i.e. Butene-1 plant and HPG (2nd stage) plant at Dibrugarh, Assam at a cost of Rs. 386.75 crore.The project is expected to be commissioned in July, 2024. The Butene-1 plant shall be a 10 KPTA plant producing Butene-1 using ethylene. The plant will provide a consistent supply of Butene-1, which is a monomer feedstock of the plant, reducing dependence on external sources. The HPG (2ndstage) plant shall be a 52 KTPA plant. Second stage of hydrogenation of HPG will yield more value added products suitable for gasoline pool.

Apart from the above, after six years of successful operation, BCPL is now planning for capacity expansion and growth. We are in continuous discussion with the Licensor for de-bottlenecking of the plant and also exploring the possibility to expand our business as well as diversifying into new business segments for a sustainable future revenue growth. BCPL endeavours to be a major player contributing substantially for the economic development of the entire NE region.

BCPL has been acknowledged for its efforts on environment management/preservation. Can you please elaborate on the organisation's philosophy in terms of environment preservation? What have been the key initiatives and practices with respect to this philosophy?

BCPL has instituted worldwide accepted Environmental Management System based on ISO-14001 and is committed to ensure environmentally sustainable operations to achieve highest standards of excellence. The first step towards environmental sustainability is focusing on operating processes that minimizes resource usage and environmental wastage. BCPL is a firm believer of the principles of circular economy led by 3 'R's- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. For reducing the impacts of waste, hazardous waste are used as alternate fuels for cement industries; solid waste have been disposed to authorized recyclers for re-use.To reduce dependency on freshwater through increased recycling and reduced external discharge, treated effluents after chemical treatment are reused in horticulture activities and firewater networks.

Furthermore, BCPL attempts to monitor emissions with well-placed real time monitoring systems. While focusing on growth, BCPL is also considering various Clean Technology Scenarios (CTS) to curb air and water pollution and at the same time reducing CO2 emission. The various prestigious awards won by BCPL bears testimony to the efforts of BCPL on environment management and preservation.

What are some of the key research initiatives that BCPL has undertaken in recent years? Please share your thoughts on industry academic partnerships as far as research is concerned.

At present BCPL petrochemical plant is exploring areas in project expansion, diversification as well as debottlenecking for efficiency enhancement. At present, we have entered into MoUs with some of the reputed institutions where we have included internships, site visits, faculty-directed research, student research, in-class visits and industry advisory boards etc. We are sure that in the coming days BCPL will further initiate involvement in research activities as well.

Please share your thoughts and views on the future of the petrochemical industry in India? How is BCPL helping to grow the petrochemical industry of Assam?

In terms of volume, the Indian petrochemical market stood at 42.50 Mn Tons and is estimated to reach 49.62 Mn Tons by 2025. From 165 million in FY 2021 this market is expected to reach 300 million by 2025 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of ~6.14%.This high growth rate is mainly due to the huge appetite that India has in terms of plastic consumption. India's per-capita plastic consumption is about 11 kilograms, which is well below the world average at 28 kilograms. Therefore, to meet the growing demand, India will need five crackers by 2025 and an additional fourteen by 2040 as per the Chemical Industry Digest: Annual Report of January 2021.

BCPL has implemented a lot of lucrative schemes for the growth of petrochemical industries in Assam. Apart from the normal Commitment Incentive Scheme (CIS) for all customers including those of Northeast, BCPL also offers special incentive schemes called the NEEDS (North-East Entrepreneur Development Scheme) specifically to NE customers for promoting polymer sales particularly in the NE region. Also, BCPL offers additional special NEEDS incentive for the plastic processors willing to set up their units at Tinsukia Plastic Park. BCPL in conjunction with GAIL (India) Ltd., Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET) and Assam Industrial Development Corporation Limited (AIDC) also organises various entrepreneur development cum awareness meets from time to time. These incentives along with the various entrepreneur development cum awareness meets have immensely contributed to the year-on-year growth of BCPL polymers in the NE region.

Please elaborate on your CSR initiatives? You may also share your initiatives that are envisaged to make a positive difference to the north eastern region.

BCPL being a committed corporate citizen strives to uplift the life of the general populace in and around its installation. Our Company has contributed to society through its CSR initiatives in the areas of healthcare, hygiene, education, infrastructure development, environment and literacy enhancement to the best extent possible. BCPL has continually been involved in community and health activities and development of nearby areas which bear testimony to its commitment to society. There are various projects under the broad heads of health and nutrition, promotion of education, Swachhata and Sanitation, skill enhancement and alternative livelihood and sustainable development and rural development. BCPL has provided financial support to the State and Central Government time and again by contributing to various relief funds at par with other major players of the nation.

Some of the flagship projects undertaken under BCPL CSR include development of infrastructure/utilities of Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) for treatment of COVID-19 infected persons, providing oxygen cylinders to AMCH and Government of Manipur, organising health camp in support to Barbaruah Public Health Centre for COVID-19 vaccination, providing financial assistance to Pratishruti Cancer and Palliative Trust, Dibrugarh, development of Bhupen Hazarika Park Dibrugarh, Skill Enhancement and Entrepreneur Development Programme, etc.

What are some of the key existing and upcoming career opportunities in the petrochemical industry worldwide? What are the requisite qualifications for these positions? Are the career prospects in India at par with the developed countries? If not, how can it be improved?

The per capita plastic consumption in the Northeast Region is around 3-4kg compared to the all India average of 11kg. This deficit provides a huge opportunity for the growth of the polymer industry in the region thereby creating substantial career prospects.

The petrochemical industry is diverse in the way it works, offering various opportunities and perks to those with the specific educational standards and professional skills required. A career in this sector can be extremely rewarding, both personally and professionally. Continual developments mean it is growing at a rapid pace and because of this; one should keep an eye on the latest trends that are emerging.

There is a high demand for engineers in chemical and petrochemical plants increasing the scope for induction of such profiles in India and abroad. Some of the profiles include chemical engineering, petrochemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, instrumentation and electronics engineering, so on and so forth.

There are career opportunities in polymer technology which aims at improving the existing petrochemicals technology and research in the country and to promote development of new applications of polymers and plastics.

BCPL is also working for the betterment of our youths through promotion of research and development and human resource planning and development in the field of polymers and plastics with the support of CIPET under its CSR activities. There is a need of plastic based parks, an ecosystem with state-of-the-art infrastructure and enabling common facilities through cluster development approach to consolidate and synergize the capacities of the domestic downstream plastic processing industry. The larger objective is to contribute to the economy by increasing investment, production and export in the sector and also generate employment.

BCPL has recently inked a MoU with IWAI to set up a logistic chain. Can you please elaborate on the brass tacks and rationale of this MoU?

During the pre-independence era tea, timber and coal were exported from Assam to England via the Kolkata port using river Brahmaputra, Meghna and Padma. Post-independence, trade via this route became less functional after the major earthquake of Assam in 1950 as the river bed of Brahmaputra rose due to the earthquake causing inconvenience for large ships/vessels to navigate. Finally this route became completely obsolete after the Bangladesh war of 1971.

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) as a part of Gati Shakti mission has prepared an action plan to use the river route as multimodal transportation which will reduce logistics cost and boost economic growth in the region. Already IWAI has planned to set up a cargo terminal at Bogibeel. Once the cargo terminal is operational, it will connect Dibrugarh to the Eastern seaports of India and to the ASEAN countries using Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route. For streamlining the logistic chain movement to BCPL Plant in Dibrugarh via the National Waterway-2, BCPL has signed a MoU with IWAI in April, 2022. This MoU with IWAI is expected to facilitate economic development and seamless transportation of cargo and aid in export of finished products to ASEAN countries via the waterways.

While creating the one of a kind history of growth, we at BCPL not only strive for the development of the organisation, but make every effort for the growth and development of the socio economic status of the society of Northeast India at large.

Also Read: Zero waste and plastic-free drive launched in Pasighat