THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

PARADEEP, AUGUST 28, 2026

The proposed expansion and diversification plans of Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL) received encouraging support from local residents and stakeholders at a public hearing held at DAV Public School, PPL Township, Paradeep, on Friday.

More than 500 residents, public representatives, community members and other stakeholders participated in the hearing and shared their views, suggestions and concerns on the proposed PPL-2 expansion and new projects.

The public hearing, an important step in the statutory environmental clearance process, was conducted under the chairmanship of Niranjan Behera, Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Paradeep, in the presence of Bibechita Sarangi, Regional Officer, Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), Paradeep, and officials of the district administration and regulatory authorities. Ajinkya Mane, Additional Superintendent of Police, Paradeep, represented the police administration.

The proposed projects received support from several participants, who highlighted the potential benefits of the expansion for industrial development, employment generation and the local economy. The proceedings were conducted in a transparent and orderly manner, with PPL and its environmental consultants responding to questions and addressing issues raised by stakeholders.

 “We are encouraged by the constructive participation and support expressed by the local community during the Public Hearing. The proposed expansion and new projects are aimed at strengthening PPL’s manufacturing capabilities while creating greater opportunities for local development and employment,” said S. Girish, Unit Head, PPL’s Paradeep Unit.

 “We remain committed to implementing the project responsibly, with due emphasis on environmental protection, resource efficiency, regulatory compliance and the well-being of the communities around us,” he added.

The proposed PPL-2 project envisages expansion and diversification of PPL’s fertilizer and specialty chemical manufacturing facilities within its existing plant premises. Significantly, the expansion is proposed without any additional land acquisition, with maximum utilisation of existing infrastructure and facilities.

The project envisages a new NP/NPK granulation complex, GTSP, ammonium sulphate, customised and water-soluble fertilisers, value-added gypsum products, green ammonia, specialty fluorine derivatives and other value-added products.

The proposed product diversification is expected to strengthen PPL’s manufacturing capabilities while enabling greater value addition to resources generated within the existing operations.

A key feature of the expansion plan is its emphasis on resource conservation and circular-economy principles. Fluorosilicic acid generated from the existing phosphoric acid plants is proposed to be utilised for the manufacture of aluminium fluoride and other fluorine derivatives. Similarly, phosphogypsum is proposed to be converted into value-added gypsum products and urea-calcium sulphate-based fertilisers.

The proposed green ammonia facility is another important component of the expansion plan. The facility will use hydrogen produced through renewable energy, aligning the project with India’s broader clean-energy transition and PPL’s stated vision of moving towards Net Zero emissions.

The company has also proposed a range of environmental safeguards for the expanded facilities. These include treatment and reuse of industrial effluents based on Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) principles, sewage treatment and reuse, advanced air-pollution control systems, continuous online emission monitoring, scientific waste management, and strengthening of greenbelt and environmental monitoring systems.

Sumit Senapati, CGM-HR, PPL Paradeep Unit, elaborated on the proposed expansion project, its key components and the potential benefits for the region.

The expansion is planned to make maximum use of PPL’s existing infrastructure and facilities, thereby enabling diversification and capacity enhancement within the established industrial ecosystem at Paradeep.

The company said the proposed projects are aimed not only at strengthening its manufacturing base but also at promoting resource utilisation, value addition and sustainable industrial development in the Paradeep region.

The successful completion of the public hearing marks a significant milestone in the environmental clearance process. PPL reiterated that stakeholder engagement, environmental protection and regulatory compliance would remain integral to the implementation of the proposed projects.

The company also said its CSR and community-development programmes would continue to focus on healthcare, education, livelihood enhancement, environmental conservation, water and sanitation, and broader community welfare.

The hearing concluded in a positive and constructive atmosphere, with the participation and feedback of local stakeholders underscoring the importance of community engagement in the sustainable industrial development of Paradeep.