Gujarat CM Inaugurates India's Largest Chlorotoluene Manufacturing Plant in Dahej.
National
In March 2025, Gujarat Chief Minister (CM) Bhupendra Patel virtually inaugurated India's largest Chlorotoluene plant at Dahej (Gujarat) on the foundation day of Vadodara (Gujarat)-based Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL).
- Established with an investment of Rs 350 crore, the plant aims to produce value-added chlorine derivatives, reducing import dependency and boosting exports.
- The newly inaugurated facility has an annual production capacity of 30,000 tonnes and will manufacture critical chemicals like Benzyl Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, and Benzaldehyde.
- These chemicals are widely used in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and dyes. The plant will utilize chlorine, a by-product of caustic soda manufacturing, ensuring efficient resource utilization.
Main Point :- (i) Operational since 1973, GACL is a leading player in the chemical sector with three manufacturing units (two in Dahej, one in Vadodara).
(ii) It produces over 35 chemical products, including 8 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of caustic soda annually, and holds a monopoly in India for sodium chlorate and hydrazine hydrate.
(iii) This initiative aligns with India’s goal of enhancing self-reliance in specialty chemicals and expanding its global market share.
About Gujarat
Chief minister: Bhupendra Patel
Governor: Acharya Devvrat
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