KOCHI: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has asked the public sector Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT) to stop production of ammonium sulphate, and not to resume its caprolactam plant till it adheres to the board’s directives, including online filing of details regarding discharge of effluents.
FACT’s caprolactam plant has been shut down since October 30, 2012. Earlier, Udyogamandal-based FACT used to produce ammonium sulphate as a byproduct from caprolactam. After the caprolactam plant was shut in 2012, the PSU continued to produce ammonium sulphate separately.
The CPCB team had inspected the FACT plant on March 30 this year to check the discharge of various effluents. The directive to the fertiliser manufacturer is based on the inspection, an officer of Kerala PCB told ‘Express’.
When contacted, the FACT spokesman said the CPCB has directed FACT not to open the plant till it complies with the online filing of effluent discharge on a daily basis. “The caprolactam plant has been closed for the past five years. We have to adhere to the CPCB order when we decide to open the plant,” he said.
FACT’s caprolactam plant has the capacity to produce 50,000 tonnes per annum. The production of ammonium sulphate for the period April-December 2014 was 67,332 tonnes, compared to 1,30,404 tonnes during April-December 2013.
Earlier last month, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board had directed closure of three industrial units in the Edayar industrial area viz., Essar Enterprises, Ramanand Electrocoats and TMV Natural Oils and Extracts, to down shutters.
Shocker for FACT
Since October 30, 2012, FACT’s caprolactam plant has been shut down.
FACT used to produce ammonium sulphate as a byproduct from caprolactam.
FACT’s caprolactam plant has the capacity to produce 50,000 tonnes per annum.