Mumbai, June 4 : India’s ammonia production sector continues to depend on imported natural gas for nearly 77 percentage of its feedstock requirements, highlighting the need for greater operational efficiency, technological innovation and knowledge-sharing across the industry, said Dr. Suresh Kumar Chaudhari, Director General, Fertiliser Association of India at the Group Discussion on “Operation and Maintenance Problems of Ammonia Plants” being held in Durgapur, West Bengal.
The four-day programme, organised by FAI from June 3-6, has brought together over 50 senior engineers and technical professionals from 25 ammonia plants across 19 locations in the country to deliberate on plant reliability, maintenance practices, energy efficiency, process safety and operational excellence.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Chaudhari noted that ammonia remains the backbone of India’s nitrogenous fertiliser industry and a critical component of the country’s food security ecosystem. He highlighted that India currently operates at 36 ammonia plants with a combined installed capacity of nearly 19 million tonnes, making operational reliability and energy efficiency essential for sustaining domestic fertiliser production.
“Ammonia production is one of the most energy-intensive industrial processes and remains central to the entire nitrogen value chain. Continuous improvements in plant operations, maintenance practices and energy efficiency are critical not only for improving competitiveness but also for strengthening India’s fertiliser security,” he said.
Dr. Chaudhari also pointed out that while the industry has commissioned several state-of-the-art ammonia plants in recent years, a significant number of facilities have been operating for 25-50 years, requiring continuous upgradation, innovation and best-practice sharing to maintain high levels of efficiency and safety.
Highlighting the sector’s sustainability journey, he noted that India’s fertiliser industry has reduced greenhouse gas emissions roughly by 50% over the last four decades through technology adoption, process improvements and energy conservation measures, making it one of the country’s most efficient industrial sectors.
The group discussion has been designed as an interactive knowledge-sharing platform, enabling plant professionals to discuss real-world operational challenges and learn from the collective experience of industry peers. Senior leaders from Matix Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd., HURL, IFFCO, and NFL are participating in the deliberations.
The programme also includes a technical visit to Matix Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd.’s facility at Panagarh, offering participants first-hand exposure to modern ammonia plant operations and maintenance practices.
FAI regularly organises such technical forums to promote operational excellence, improve plant performance and support the long-term sustainability of India’s fertiliser sector.
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