Bengal plant to develop global R&D

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Kolkata, Jun 19: NLC Nalco India, which manufactures and markets industrial chemicals for use in various sectors including water treatment, energy and paper and is one of the first US investments in West Bengal, is developing its Konnagar plant as a centre of excellence for global R&D. "We are already working as an extension of our Singapore R&D unit, which is the hub for the Asia-Pacific region," said Alok Bhadra, country marketing manager, Nalco India.

The company, with a turnover of $3.6 billion in 2006 globally, spends 5% of its earnings on R&D. It has six R&D centres worldwide. "With major investments coming into the oilfield, paper and processed chemical sectors, these will be our focus areas at Konnagar's R&D unit," added Bhadra.

Earlier, he made a presentation at a Showcase US event on water, organised by the US Commercial Service of the American Consulate General in Kolkata, in partnership with the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce. Four other US companies, including Dow Water Solutions, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical Company, Sontek/YSI, Certainteed Corporation and Clearbrook Water Filters.

US companies, offering various products on water treatment, are taking a keen interest in India . "Projections show that India could be a water scarce country by 2025 when its per capita water availability could fall below the international benchmark of 1,700 cubic metres per year," said US consul general Henry Jardine. "The total Indian market for water-related products and services is estimated to be over $1 billion. The overall water market is growing at 10-12% annually," he added.

Sutanu Ghosh, regional president, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, said West Bengal is one of the four most arsenic-affected areas of the world with eight districts showing high levels of arsenic in groundwater.