Gandhinagar, Gujarat - January 13, 2009
Dow Chemical International Pvt. Ltd. (Dow India) and Royal Castor Products Ltd. (Royal Castor), Sidhpur, Gujarat today signed a commitment to conduct research in sustainable, bio–based products & solutions using castor oil during the Vibrant Gujarat expo. The commitment was signed by Dr. Ramesh Ramachandran, president & CEO, Dow India, and Haresh Vyas, director, Royal Castor in the presence of Hon. Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi.
“Sustainable solutions are key to the long term success of the chemical industry and our agreement with Royal Castor is an excellent initiative in this realm,” said Ramesh Ramachandran. “By combining the expertise of the foremost manufacturers and exporters of castor oil derivatives, with Dow India’s research and development techniques, we can set a high target toward developing sustainable and environmentally-friendly products of the future.”
“We are excited to be associated with Dow India to work on this project. Dow India’s best-in-class research and development techniques will help us innovate new solutions and products in castor oil derivatives. We are confident that together we shall be able to provide major breakthroughs in India’s chemical industry.” said Haresh Vyas, director, Royal Castor.
Castor Oil is natural oil obtained from the seed of the castor plant. It is unique among all fats and oils in that it is the only commercially important oil having a composition of approximately 90% of a hydroxyl, unsaturated C18 fatty acid-ricinoleic acid, a double bond in the 9-10 position and a hydroxyl group on the 12th carbon. This combination of hydroxyl group and unsaturation occurs only in Castor Oil. Chemically, Castor Oil is a triglyceride (ester) of fatty acids.
Castor oil has numerous applications in lubricants, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing industries, for example: adhesives, brake fluids, caulks, dyes, electrical liquid dielectrics, humectants, hydraulic fluids, inks, lacquers, leather treatments, lubricating greases, machining oils, paints, pigments, polyurethane adhesives, refrigeration lubricants, rubbers, sealants, textiles, washing powders and waxes.
About Dow India
Dow Chemical International Private Limited, headquartered in Mumbai, has more than 780 employees operating from its offices, manufacturing site and three Centers of Excellence. Operations in India have experienced exciting growth with annual sales touching the Rs 2000 crores ($ 500 mm) in 2007. As a responsible corporate citizen, Dow India has helped build homes for the homeless through the ‘Habitat for Humanity’ Jimmy Carter Work Project, supplied free artificial limbs through the ‘Jaipur Foot’ initiative, and collaborated with the Byrraju and Anarde Foundation to supply clean drinking water to villages in India. More information about Dow India can be found at www.dow-india.com
About Royal Castors
RCP belongs to the Standard Greases Group, the largest manufacturer of Industrial and automotive oils and greases in India having annual sales of Rs. 750 crores. RCP is the leading manufacturer-exporter of castor oil derivatives, having its location at Sidhpur-Gujarat. RCP has to its credit an exclusive tie up with an Italian Multinational Company for its tailor made products and has also a joint venture with an Japanese MNC for manufacturing high ended castor derivatives. RCP is also a consortia partner with Sardar Krushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, (Nodal agency for research in castor and mustard seeds) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research programme with National Agricultural Innovative Projects, launched by the Government of India.
About Dow
For Editorial Information:
Roysten D’mello
The Dow Chemical Company
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