Research and Development

Aditya Birla Chemicals has dedicated teams of scientists to ensure that our customers get top quality products from each of our divisions:

Chlor-alkalis
Our three Indian units are equipped with basic and advanced monitoring and measurement equipment. Our processes are identified and evaluated for their criticality and SPC is in practice for all identified critical parameters. Comparisons are made for all critical parameters on a daily basis and improvement actions are initiated for the replication of best results / practices in other units. Continuous opportunities are initiated for small improvements through Kaizen while our projects are identified and improved through Swift six sigma methodology. We also collaborate with R&D institutes such as CSMCRI / Bhavnagar, a CSIR unit.

Epoxy resins
A strong emphasis on R&D has resulted in novel and innovative products. The R&D department and in-house pilot plant are amongst the highest funded venues at the epoxy division. The division works closely with its customers to understand their needs and offer customised products and services. It also assists in selecting the right combination of systems to achieve the best performance.

The Application Development Center (ADC), an extension of the R&D initiatives, is the focal point that enables the division to duplicate customers' application and standards. This simulated environment allows the scientists to conduct test runs and evaluate results, customise products and optimise application parameters to derive maximum performance. The results include new and improved products, processes and methods. The ADC combines test results conducted within the laboratories of Aditya Birla Chemicals with multitudes of research provided by the R&D teams to test product life under specified weather or environmental conditions to fulfil exact customer needs.

Peroxides and Sulphites
These divisions are constantly working to deliver novel and innovative products. The requirement may come from a customer or simply an internal initiative to meet the customer's anticipated requirements. The divisions are equipped with a Research and Development Centre that works very closely with customers. There are plans to manufacture new products having synergy with the current ones. This will lead to growth and enable the divisions to become global suppliers with a multitude of value-added services.

Phosphates
A well-qualified and dedicated team at the phosphates division is developing speciality and blended products with in-house knowledge and in collaboration with universities in Thailand and overseas. New products are being developed for the seafood processing, meat processing, instant-noodle processing, bakery, cheese and dairy industries.

The R&D facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to determine the physical and chemical parameters of the newly developed products and their applications in order to offer a "complete solution" to customers.

The R&D department is active in the following areas:

• Offering its testing and research facilities to customers for carrying out new development for their products and processes.
• Collaborating on research with universities and other academic organisations in the development of blended phosphate.
• Supporting research training and application training for customers.

A state-of-the-art new blender plant facility with a capacity of 20,000mtpa is being constructed at Samutprakarn, Thailand. The plant, which will produce blended phosphates, will be commissioned by November 2010.