Gujarat Alkalies, CSIR-IICT co-develops technology to produce super speciality chemical Hydrazine Hydrate
22 Nov 2021
State-owned pharma major Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL), and CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad have jointly developed an environment friendly technology to manufacture super speciality chemical Hydrazine Hydrate (H6N2O).
The Indian Patent Office has awarded a joint patent to CSIR and GACL for what they call 'An improved process for production of Hydrazine Hydrate'. The patent will remain valid for 20 years.
At present, all requirements of Hydrazine Hydrate are met through imports and there is a felt need for import substitution of this high value super speciality chemical.
GACL will invest around Rs405 crore to set up a Hydrazine Hydrate manufacturing plant in order to reduce import dependence.
Hydrazine Hydrate is widely used in various industries such as Agrochemicals, Polymers, Water treatment, Fuel cells, Space applications etc.
Hydrazine is an inorganic compound, which is highly toxic unless handled in solution as, for example, hydrazine hydrate (NH2NH2 · xH 2O). As of 2015, the world hydrazine hydrate market amounted to $350 million.
Hydrazine is mainly used as a foaming agent in preparing polymer foams, but applications also include its uses as a precursor to polymerisation catalysts, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals, as well as a long-term storable propellant for in-space spacecraft propulsion.
Additionally, hydrazine is used in various rocket fuels and to prepare the gas precursors used in air bags. Hydrazine is used within both nuclear and conventional electrical power plant steam cycles as an oxygen scavenger to control concentrations of dissolved oxygen in an effort to reduce corrosion.
Hydrazines refer to a class of organic substances derived by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms in hydrazine by an organic group.