CPCL Aims to Position Itself as Future Hydrogen Production Hub

Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL) is gearing up to position itself as a significant Hydrogen Production Hub, catering not only to its internal consumption but also aiming to supply Green Hydrogen for various energy needs, including mobility and petrochemical production. Arvind Kumar, the Managing Director of CPCL, expressed this vision during the "Emerging Technologies for the Chemical Sector" conference, where he highlighted the company's active participation as a stakeholder in the Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster, a collaborative effort involving IIT-Madras, the Tamil Nadu government, and other industrial partners.

IIT-Madras, in collaboration with industry partners, is developing a pilot electrolyzer that will be installed at CPCL's site to produce green hydrogen. Kumar emphasized the potential of carbon capture technologies as an additional solution to expand feedstock availability. Green hydrogen, produced by electrolyzers in conjunction with CO2, could serve as a raw material for various applications. Given CPCL's status as one of the largest refiners in the country, finding sustainable options for handling the estimated 9 to 12 tons of CO2 generated per tonne of hydrogen is a key focus.

Providing an update on the 9 MMTPA refinery project at Cauvery Basin Refinery in Nagapattinam, Kumar mentioned that CPCL has acquired the necessary additional land, bringing the total to 1,200 acres for the proposed project. The project, implemented through a joint venture with IndianOil, is set to commence work after obtaining approvals in the coming months.

The Chemical Industry conference discussed the future trajectory of India's chemical industry, currently valued at $180 billion and expected to reach $300 billion by 2030. Emphasizing robust growth in the sector, speakers highlighted the importance of large investments, the conversion of existing complexes to integrated complexes, and the establishment of new chemical complexes with a focus on sustainability. The need for skill development initiatives, such as the Chem Skill Development Centre, was also emphasized to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills and foster entrepreneurship in the chemical sector.

HBL