Latest news with #NishantKanodia
Mint
7 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Supply cuts from China prompt India to step up high-end fertilizer capacity
New Delhi: The Centre is looking at ways to step up the production of specialty fertilizers for high value fruit, vegetables and flowers, amid a supply disruption from China, a senior government official told Mint. Preliminary discussions have already been held between the government and leading state-owned, cooperative and private sector fertilizer producers, the official said. Specialty fertilizers include polymer-coated urea that is released slowly into the soil and is available to plants over a long period, chelated micronutrients that are effective in alkaline soil, water-soluble fertilizers such as monoammonium phosphate and potassium nitrate, and stabilized nitrogen fertilizers with urease inhibitors (NBPT) which allow efficient nitrogen use on soil. "We have asked the manufacturers including companies in public sector and private sector to increase availability of specialty fertilizers," said the person quoted above, who spoke on condition of not being named. The development assumes significance given India's heavy reliance on China for supplies of specialty fertilizers. Nearly 80% of India's specialty fertilizer imports including water-soluble nutrients, liquid foliar sprays, slow and controlled-release formulations, and bio-stimulants are sourced from Chinese manufacturers, according to industry estimates. Chinese supplies have been disrupted for the past two months with authorities in that country using various procedures to block exports to India without imposing as ban, The Economic Times reported on 26 June. Nishant Kanodia, promoter and chairman, Matix Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd, said, "India's growing focus on sustainable and high-efficiency agriculture is creating a meaningful shift in the fertilizer landscape. While our entry into this segment is recent, we are committed to building capabilities that contribute to India's long-term self-reliance and soil health goals." An IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd) spokesperson said that the cooperative started production of water soluble and specialty fertilizers since 2011. The current capacity is 15,000 tonnes per annum. Queries emailed to other leading producers—Kribhco, Coromandal International Ltd, Zuari Farm Hub, Deepak Fertilisers, Yara fertilisers—Department of Fertilizers and Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on 21 July, remained unanswered at the time of publishing. Rajib Chakraborty, national president, Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA), said, 'Until recently, India lacked the technology to produce two of the most essential WSF (water-soluble fertilizer) grades, Mono Ammonium Phosphate (MAP) and Calcium Nitrate alongside other important grades. Addressing this gap, Ishita International has developed an integrated process, Indian raw material based technology, capable of producing MAP, liquid Calcium Magnesium, Calcium Nitrate, Calcium nitrate with Boron and several other WSFs in a single process." The pilot plant for this project is currently under commissioning, with support from the government. "This start-up is technologically equipped with an integrated Water-Soluble Fertilizer (WSF) production capacity of 10,000 tonnes of MAP and an additional 5,000–7,000 tonnes of other compound WSFs. The company is currently exploring investment opportunities to scale up commercial production and scale up quickly to fill the supply chain gap," said Yogesh Chavhan, business development-manager, WSF, at Nagpur-based Ishita International. Meanwhile, producers of NPK formulations are operating at full capacity but are facing challenges due to a limited availability of raw materials. This is largely because basic WSFs themselves serve as key inputs for these formulations. Despite the constraints, these developments have opened new avenues for indigenous production and present a significant export opportunity to neighbouring countries, according to Rajib. Specialty fertilizer segment comprises various categories, including water soluble fertilizers, sulphur products, micronutrients and liquid fertilizers. "Demand for specialty fertilizers has been estimated to be around 1.2-1.3 million tonnes annually, as in FY25. Among the major categories, micronutrients has the largest share of ~50-55% in total specialty fertilizer consumption followed by WSF (~25-30 %), sulphur (approx. 12-15%) and liquid fertilizers," said Pushan Sharma, director, Crisil Intelligence. In 2022, the specialty fertilizers market in India was valued at approximately $1.46 billion, while the overall fertilizer market stood at around $40.5 billion in 2023. According to industry stakeholders, specialty fertilizers account for only 3% to 5% of the total fertilizer market. There is no subsidy part involved in specialty fertilizers. India is significantly dependent on raw materials and finished specialty fertilizers from China, Russia, Norway, Tunisia and Morocco. India's dependency on imports varies across different specialty fertilizer categories. "For Water Soluble Fertilizers (WSF), the country is heavily reliant on imports, lacking significant production capacity due to the products being blended mixtures of various chemicals that are not readily available in India," said Pushan. The production process for water-soluble fertilizers in India primarily involves blending, with some grades undergoing micronutrient fortification, but without chemical reactions. As a result, India remains dependent on imports of various water-soluble fertilizer grades to manufacture other fortified grades. In the case of Sulphur, India's dependency on imports is medium to high, with companies such as Coromandel International Limited, Deepak Fertilizer, and National Fertilizers Limited relying on molten sulphur from Middle Eastern countries for sulphur production, according to Crisil Intelligence. For High-Value Micronutrients, the dependency on imports is moderate, as some key raw materials, including EDTA di-sodium, and finished goods like Di Sodium Octa Borate Tetra Hydrate, are largely imported. According to Crisil, the water-soluble fertilizer category is expected to experience production disruptions due to India's historical reliance on China for raw materials and finished goods. Specifically, products like MAP (Mono Ammonium Phosphate) and CN (Calcium Nitrate) have been largely imported from China, which offered optimal quality and pricing, although alternative sources are available. 'Following China's imposition of an export ban on specialty fertilizers, industry experts report a substantial increase of approximately 50-60% in the shipment cost of Calcium Nitrate from other countries. Moreover, China is reportedly exporting these products to other nations, which are then being trans-shipped to India, resulting in higher costs and longer lead times," informed Pushan. According to SFIA, nearly every fertilizer company in India is engaged in trading, repacking and selling specialty fertilizers, yet very few are actual producers. The market is dominated by traders due to regulatory limitations and the absence of indigenous technologies, which have historically prevented the domestic manufacturing ecosystem particularly MSMEs from scaling up. As a result, despite rising demand, Indian production capacity has remained restricted. However, some of the emerging entities and startups have demonstrated strong potential for rapid growth and expansion in this segment. Their innovation, agility, and production readiness position them well to lead the next wave of self-reliant, Make-in-India development in the specialty fertilizer space. When asked whether the production can be scaled instantly, Rajib said, 'Scaling production is possible where there is already an unutilized capacity. It does not apply where there is no technology and very basic level of production activity is performed. Whether importing product or importing technology, dependency on external sources remains the same. Government is rightfully investing in 'Import Substitution' through promoting 100% indigenous technology. The country that holds the know-how to scale efficiently and sustainably owns the market, regardless of who first developed the idea and it's happening in India now."
Business Standard
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Nishant Kanodia, Promoter & Chairman, of Matix Fertilisers appointed to the Board of Directors of The International Fertilizer Association
VMPL New Delhi [India], May 15: Nishant Kanodia, Promoter and Chairman of Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), the leading global organization representing the entire fertilizer value chain. The appointment was formalised at the IFA Annual Conference 2025 in Monaco, themed "Investing in the Future of Food." With approximately 500 members across more than 80 countries, IFA champions policy, innovation, and sustainable fertilizer practices that contribute to global food security. Ms. Alzbeta Klein, CEO & Director General of IFA commented, "We are delighted to welcome Mr. Nishant Kanodia to the IFA Board. India's pivotal role in global agriculture, together with Mr. Kanodia's visionary leadership, will be instrumental in advancing IFA's mission for sustainable, resilient food systems worldwide." India's agricultural sector has transformed a mid-20th-century food scarcity to becoming a leading global producer of staples, cereals, pulses, fruits, and vegetables. Through technology adoption, nutrient management, and farmer empowerment, India now plays a central role in global food security and consciously contributing to climate-resilient farming. Speaking on his induction to the IFA Board, Mr. Nishant Kanodia, Chairman Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited stated, "It is a privilege to join the IFA Board at a time when India is increasingly central to global food security. The need for balanced nutrient management and innovation-driven growth has never been greater. I look forward to supporting IFA's efforts to empower farmers, protect ecosystems, and enhance productivity globally and in India." Under Mr. Kanodia's leadership, Matix Fertilisers--an integrated crop nutrition company with revenues of around Rs7,000 crore--has established itself as a market leader in Eastern India, with a 20% share of the region's urea market. Its state-of-the-art facility in Panagarh, West Bengal, achieved a record production of 1.47 million tonnes in FY25, operating at over 115% of annual rated capacity. The company was recently honoured with the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) "Best Production Performance" Award for 2023-24. Matix continues to expand its portfolio with innovative and sustainable agri-input solutions, supporting farmers across nine states through a vast network of over 1,000 dealers and 60,000 retailers. About the International Fertilizer Association: The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) was founded in 1927 and is the only global fertilizer association, with around 500 members from more than 80 countries and a mission to promote the efficient and responsible production, distribution and use of plant nutrients. This mission plays a critical role in helping to feed the world sustainably. IFA represents providers of plant nutrition solutions. Members include fertilizer producers, traders and distributors, as well as their associations, service providers to the industry, research organizations, start-ups and non-governmental X: @FertilizerNews About Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited: Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited is one of India's youngest and fastest-growing crop nutrient manufacturers, holding approximately a 20% market share of urea in eastern India. The company markets its products across nine states in Eastern, North-Eastern and Northern parts of India with a distribution strength of 1000+ dealers and 60,000+ retailers. Matix is committed to enhancing agricultural productivity through quality crop nutrition and soil enhancement products, thereby aiming to nourish every farm and ensure food security for all.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nishant Kanodia, Promoter & Chairman, of Matix Fertilisers appointed to the Board of Directors of The International Fertilizer Association
Driving Global Dialogue on Food Security, Sustainability, and Agricultural Innovation LONDON and MONACO, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nishant Kanodia, Promoter and Chairman of Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), the leading global organization representing the entire fertilizer value chain. The appointment was formalised at the IFA Annual Conference 2025 in Monaco, themed 'Investing in the Future of Food'. With approximately 500 members across more than 80 countries, IFA champions policy, innovation, and sustainable fertilizer practices that contribute to global food security. Ms. Alzbeta Klein, CEO & Director General of IFA, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Mr. Nishant Kanodia to the IFA Board. India's pivotal role in global agriculture, together with Mr. Kanodia's visionary leadership, will be instrumental in advancing IFA's mission for sustainable, resilient food systems worldwide." India's agricultural sector has transformed a mid-20th-century food scarcity to becoming a leading global producer of staples, cereals, pulses, fruits, and vegetables. Through technology adoption, nutrient management, and farmer empowerment, India now plays a central role in global food security and consciously contributing to climate-resilient farming. Speaking on his induction to the IFA Board, Mr. Nishant Kanodia, Chairman Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited, stated, "It is a privilege to join the IFA Board at a time when India is increasingly central to global food security. The need for balanced nutrient management and innovation-driven growth has never been greater. I look forward to supporting IFA's efforts to empower farmers, protect ecosystems, and enhance productivity globally and in India." Under Mr. Kanodia's leadership, Matix Fertilisers—an integrated crop nutrition company with revenues of around ₹7,000 crore—has established itself as a market leader in Eastern India, with a 20% share of the region's urea market. Its state-of-the-art facility in Panagarh, West Bengal, achieved a record production of 1.47 million tonnes in FY25, operating at over 115% of annual rated capacity. The company was recently honoured with the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) "Best Production Performance" Award for 2023–24. Matix continues to expand its portfolio with innovative and sustainable agri-input solutions, supporting farmers across nine states through a vast network of over 1,000 dealers and 60,000 retailers. For more information about Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited, visit : Photo: View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Standard
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Matix Fertilisers' Diversification pays off as Crop Protection & Supplement Business crosses Rs200 Crore in under Three years
VMPL Kolkata (West Bengal)/ Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 6: Nishant Kanodia promoted, Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited, a Rs7,000 crore integrated fertiliser company, has achieved a significant milestone in its diversification journey. In less than three years since entering the crop protection and supplement segment (FY 2022-23), Matix has grown the vertical to Rs200 crore in revenue. This rapid scale-up reflects the trust of India's farmers and Matix's strategic focus on high-impact agri-Inputs. The achievement further strengthens its leadership in eastern India, where it holds nearly 20% market share in urea and ranks among the country's fastest-growing crop nutrient companies. Since entering the crop protection and supplement segment in FY 2022-23, Matix has rapidly scaled its portfolio through co-marketing partnerships with leading players such as UPL and CRYSTAL. The range now includes Single Super Phosphate (where Matix is the country's leading trader, with 84,712 MT sold in FY 2024-25), Zyme, Zinc Sulphate (21% & 33%), Potash Derived from Molasses, Phosphate Rich Organic Manure, City Compost, and Micronutrient Mixture. Sharing his views,Nishant Kanodia, Chairman, Matix Fertilisers & Chemicals Limited said, "This achievement reflects the dedication of our team and the growing trust of India's farming community. At Matix, we remain deeply committed to delivering innovative, sustainable agri-input solutions that empower farmers and strengthen Indian agriculture." In FY 2024-25, the company further diversified into specialty fertilisers such as Calcium Nitrate, Sulphur Bentonite, and Mycorrhizal Biofertilizer, reinforcing its alignment with the Government of India's thrust on organic and sustainable agricultural inputs. Manoj Mishra, Managing Director, Matix Fertilisers & Chemicals Limited, said, "Crossing this milestone reflects our team's strategic vision and strong execution, as well as the growing trust of India's farmers. At Matix, we are focused on building a comprehensive, future-ready agri-inputs business that enhances farm productivity, supports sustainable practices, and contributes meaningfully to India's food security. We are proud to partner with farmers in their journey toward a more resilient agricultural future." Matix's trading success builds on the foundation of its fully integrated 1.27 MTPA gas-based urea plant in Panagarh, West Bengal--one of India's largest single-stream fertiliser facility. Operating consistently above 100% capacity and supported by a long-term gas supply agreement with GAIL, the plant ensures uninterrupted, reliable supply of essential crop nutrient to the farming communities across its operational areas. As Matix continues to grow its footprint and portfolio, it remains committed to driving value across the agricultural value chain, delivering scale, innovation, and sustainability from plant to plate. About Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited: Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited is one of India's youngest and fastest-growing crop nutrient companies, holding approximately 20% market share of urea in eastern India. The company is present across nine states with distribution strength of 1000+ dealers and 60,000+ retailers. Matix is committed to enhancing agricultural productivity through innovative crop nutrition and soil enhancement products, aiming to nourish every farm and ensure food security for all.
