The journey of Deepak Nitrite is marked with several milestones ranging from winning awards for excellence to expanding manufacturing base by developing indigenous technologies. It has scaled many heights in product development and process technologies. Within 4 years of its inception, it bagged prestigious ICMA Award for the best chemical unit. Determined to become a top-notch manufacturer of chemicals, DNL has eventually integrated self-reliance, dynamism and vividness in its functioning. It has now adopted the strategy of diversification and consolidation, thus opening out to new avenues.

Genesis

The Deepak story began its chapter as a thriving enterprise in 1970 when the group’s visionary chairman, C K Mehta, stepped into the challenging field of manufacturing from trading. Combining his trading skills with those of manufacturing, and based on indigenous technology, he set up Deepak Nitrite Ltd. The manufacturing plant was set up in Nandesari, Gujarat to produce the then two vital import substitutes – sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate by indigenous technology. It later diversified into manufacturing of organic intermediates and is today, a leader in organic, inorganic, fine and speciality chemicals.
Headquartered at Pune, DNL is today a leading manufacturer of organic, inorganic, fine & speciality chemicals and intermediates. The company offers a wide array of products to various industries, viz, pharmaceuticals, dyes intermediates, rubber chemicals, explosives, glass, agro chemicals etc.

Buoyed by its early successes, DNL floated another company - Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd (DFPCL), an Rs 625 million venture in 1982. This lateral integration programme into the world of basic building block chemicals, premium fertilisers and petrochemicals has helped the Rs 800 crore Deepak Group to gain a strong foothold in areas as diverse as petrochemicals and fertilisers to downstream areas like intermediates and fine chemicals.

Diverse manufacturing base

DNL operates through five manufacturing divisions located in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Its manufacturing facilities are well integrated with DFPCL by way of assured supply of ammonia, hydrogen, nitric acid, etc from the later.

Organic and intermediate Division: There are two manufacturing facilities in this division. One is situated at Nandesari (Baroda), it is credited as the country’s largest producer of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate by ammonia oxidation process. Sodium nitrite, apart from being sold in the merchant market, also forms the raw material for other value-added products manufactured by the company such as hydroxylamine derivatives and dinitroso penta methylene tetramine (DNPT), a rubber-blowing agent. It also produces guanidine nitrate.
Another manufacturing facility is situated at Nandesari (Baroda), it is equipped with a sophisticated DCS controlled multipurpose nitration and isomer separation facility. TIt produces a range of nitro chlorobenzenes as well as nitro toluenes for dyes, rubber, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and additives like optical brighteners.
This division is focussing on export market and introducing new high value products.

Inorganic Division: Based at Taloja, near Mumbai. This division manufactures aromatic amines based on a catalytic hydrogenation technology developed in-house. A continuous supply of hydrogen is ensured from DFPCL. The division has been recently renovated and enhanced to produce new products based on reductive alkylation process.

Fine and Speciality division: Located at Pune, this was acquired by DNL in 1984. The division produces a broad and innovative range of colourant, intermediates and fine chemicals, based on its expertise in alkali fusion, alkylation, oxidation and key reactions of dyestuff chemistry. It is involved in manufacturing advanced intermediates used in UV absorbers, food colours, cosmetics, optical brighteners, dyes, pigments and inks. The division contributes a major chunk to DNL’s export turnover, especially focussed on colour former chemistry.
Aryan Pesticides Ltd: Located at Roha, is a subsidiary of DNL. It is India's largest manufacturer of paracumidine and the only manufacturer of xylidines. It complements DNL’s core strengths by offering expertise in batch nitration, chlorination, alkoxylation and hydrogenation. It is also poised to become a major launching pad for custom manufacturing of specialised new products.

It has recorded a turnover of Rs 236 crore for the year 2000-2001. Steering the company’s operations since 17 years is Deepak C Mehta, whose perseverance has given the Deepak Nitrite all that buoyant resonance. Also a Managing Director of DFPCL from the year 2000-2001, Mehta takes keen interest in the activities of Indian Chemical Manufacturers’ Association (ICMA), an eminent association of the industry.

Capitalising on core strengths

The driving force behind the success achieved by Deepak Nitrite is its continuous search for new products. Spearheading the activities in new product development is Deepak Research and Development Foundation, the central R&D facility located at Pune. Apart from developing specialised products, the R&D centre plays a crucial role in optimisation of existing products and processes. The R&D centre with about 50 highly qualified chemists and chemical engineers has seven patent applications to its credit. It works closely with well-known scientists belonging to the country’s premier research institutes & universities.

With over 30 years of experience in manufacturing a wide range of chemicals and handling different technologies, the company is well equipped to explore the business opportunities in areas such as custom manufacturing, licensing of technology, contract process scale up, etc. The core strengths of DNL - a proven track record of innovation and indigenous development, an advanced R&D facility, an unblemished record in storing and handling various types of chemicals and a scaleable pilot production facility for quantities ranging from a few kilos to several tonne – have helped it to undertake development and manufacturing of highly specialised products for leading companies.

Looking for new pastures

A leader in the domestic market, the company has set its sights beyond Indian shores. It exports its products to over 20 countries across the globe including the USA, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Australia and South Korea. Its export growth recorded a quantum leap of 22 per cent i.e. from Rs 424.9 mn (year 1999-2000) to Rs 517.4 mn (year 2000-01). The company’s consistent export performance was recognised by Indian Chemical Manufacturers’ Association (ICMA), with a merit certificate for the two successive years and also earned it the status of an Export House from the Govt of India, in 1998. Deepak Nitrite is looking forward to a steep rise in exports through custom manufacturing and high-value, speciality products.

Striving for excellence

The company’s emphasis on good manufacturing practices right from its inception earned it the Sir P C Ray Award for the best chemical manufacturing unit in India as early as in 1974. DNL has sustained its competitive edge in the present competitive era, by strictly adhering to quality parameters and understanding the needs of user-industry. At DNL, quality is controlled not just at the finished product stage but also at every stage of operation. A total of about 85 personnel support the quality and technical functions at various manufacturing divisions. All the manufacturing facilities are ISO-9002 certified.

Beyond business

DNL is committed to maintain the highest standards of quality, safety and environmental control in all its processes and products. It has adopted appropriate designs, handling and safe disposal practices, to reduce any adverse impact on environment. The microbiologists working with the R&D team strive for the environment-friendly processes right at the development stage so as to minimise the formation of by-products. The company’s commitment to a clean environment was recognised by the Chemtech Foundation, India by awarding it with a Certificate of Merit for sustainable development and adopting environment friendly practices for the treatment and disposal of the effluent generated at its various manufacturing units.

Aware of its commitment to society, the Deepak Group works for the betterment of its fellowmen through two associate organisations, viz, Deepak Medical Foundation (DMF) and Deepak Charitable Trust (DCT). There are on going social programmes for health and education for women and children, prevention of infant mortality, vocational training and literacy programmes for adults as well as children with the help of DMF and DCT.