The Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, launched toluene, a product of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL).
- With an annual production capacity of 40,000 tonnes, MRPL’s toluene facility exemplifies India’s progress towards self-reliance and global competitiveness in the petrochemical sector.
About Toluene
- Toluene is a versatile aromatic hydrocarbon. Toluene is a clear, colorless liquid with a distinctive smell. Toluene occurs naturally in crude oil and in the tolu tree.
- Toluene plays a vital role in industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, paints and defence.
- Though India’s annual demand for toluene stands at about 650,000 tonnes, domestic production is about 160,000 tonnes.
- MRPL’s addition of 40,000 tonnes per year will help bridge this gap, contributing to significant foreign exchange savings of approximately $3 million annually.
(Source: Business Line)
