Power-packed fertiliser
These complex phosphate fertilisers
marketed under the brand name Birla Balwan have higher water solubility and provide better nutrition to crops. To the farmers, Birla Balwan is a power-packed basal (inorganic) fertiliser used for increasing crop yield and is applied at the time of sowing.

Birla Balwan is currently available in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan through a wide network of distributors, retailers and co-operatives. Despite being the youngest entrant in its markets, Birla Balwan has notched up an impressive share of 15 per cent despite stiff competition from existing brands.

Embarking on a journey to a greener world, Birla Copper, a strategic unit of Hindalco Industries, entered the fertiliser sector four years ago. Birla Copper produces di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and NPK complexes, which are essential fertilisers for farmers. The company commenced commercial production with an installed capacity of 4 lakh tonnes per annum in 2000. Situated on the Gujarat coast at Dahej, a major petrochemical manufacturing area, the Birla Copper plant boasts of a fully integrated plant having its own jetty on site. It is one of the few plants in India to manufacture Phosphoric Acid indigenously.

The fertiliser sector is ranked the fourth largest in the world. The consumption for fertilisers has risen significantly from 30 million tonnes nutrient in 1960 to 148 million tonnes (2002-03 estimates). This significant increase can be attributed to developing countries which have radically increased their capacities over the past four decades and now account for almost 63 per cent of global fertiliser consumption.

In India, Birla Copper foresees a remarkable growth trajectory. The demand for food grains in India will drive the need for higher food production. This is possible through achieving higher productivity, which would require higher fertiliser usage. In a growing market, Birla Copper seeks to achieve a position of dominance through sustained delivery of a range of high quality products led by constant innovation and research.

Birla Copper at a glance
Birla Copper, a strategic unit of Hindalco, has a mega greenfield copper smelting and refining complex at Dahej in the Bharuch district of Gujarat. The copper plant produces world-class copper cathodes, continuous cast copper rods and precious metals that are marketed under the brand names Birla Copper, Birla Gold and Birla Silver. Sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid are also produced at the plant.

Birla Copper's quality standards are recognised internationally. It has been listed on the London Metal Exchange (LME) since 30 January 2003, as a Grade A copper producer. Birla Copper is an ISO 9001 company, and has received ISO 14001 certification.