TAMIL NADU: Coromandel International Limited, India’s leading agri solutions provider, has unveiled its Nanotechnology Center in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, to drive the development of nano-enabled agro-inputs for plant nutrition and crop protection. The center is fully equipped with high-end equipment and research tools for cutting-edge R&D work for synthesis, characterization, biosafety testing, and evaluation of nano-products.
The Nanotechnology Center is the sixth R&D facility of Coromandel and the second Tech Centre that will focus on the development of next-generation agri-inputs, the first being Coromandel’s research facility in Monash Academy, IIT Bombay. The center will facilitate the wider application of nano-inputs in agriculture by disseminating scientific data and knowledge to farmers, scientists, and policymakers. It will also serve as the central laboratory for all nano-products of Coromandel to ensure full compliance with regulatory guidelines and develop a wide range of bioproducts.
Earlier this year, the company launched Nano DAP, which has received an encouraging response from the farming community. Recently, it has also developed a unique Nano Urea formulation containing 12% N (w/w), which is undergoing extensive farmer trials. The company is in the process of setting up an integrated Nano products manufacturing facility at Kakinada.
Speaking on the occasion, Coromandel’s Executive Vice Chairman Mr. Arun Alagappan said, “The Coromandel Nanotechnology Center is a unique facility established to drive Coromandel’s efforts in nanotechnology in agriculture. This will enable high-quality research in the nano space and is in line with various Government initiatives to promote innovation and the use of technology. This is a major step towards strengthening India’s R&D capabilities for the development of efficient plant nutrition and protection solutions.“
Coromandel International Limited is amongst India’s pioneers and leading agri solutions provider, offering diverse products and services across the farming value chain. The company operates in two major segments: Nutrient and other allied businesses and Crop Protection. These include Fertilizer, Crop Protection, Bio Products, Specialty Nutrients, and Organic businesses. The company is the second-largest manufacturer and marketer of Phosphatic fertilizer in India. The company’s Crop Protection products are marketed in India as well as in international geographies, offering a wide range of technical and formulation products. The Specialty Nutrients business of the company focuses on water-soluble fertilizers and secondary & micronutrients segments. The company is a leading marketer of Organic fertilizer in India. The Bio Products business of the company focuses on plant extractions for various applications. It also operates a network of around 750+ rural retail outlets across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Through these retail outlets, the company offers farming services, including crop advisory, soil testing, and farm mechanization, to around 3 million farmers. The company has a strong R&D and Regulatory setup, supporting the businesses in process development and new product introduction. The company has 18 manufacturing facilities, producing a wide range of Nutrient and Crop Protection products, which are marketed through an extensive network of dealers and its retail centers.
The company clocked a turnover of Rs.29,799 Crores during FY22-23. Its efforts towards the environment have been well recognized by international organizations like UNDP and have also been voted as one of the ten greenest companies in India by TERI. Coromandel is a part of the INR 742 billion (INR 74,220 Crores) of the Murugappa Group.
