Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL) marked another significant milestone on July 5, 2025, flagging off its first consignments of Benzyl Alcohol (BOH) and Benzaldehyde (BCHO) from its newly commissioned Chlorotoluenes plant at Dahej.

GACL’s Managing Director Avantika Singh virtually led the flag-off ceremony, joined by senior officials of the company.

The 30,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity plant was inaugurated virtually by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel on March 29, 2025. The plant had earlier dispatched its first consignment of Benzyl Chloride (BCL) on April 21, 2025.

A strategic initiative by GACL, the Chlorotoluenes Project is designed to maximise the utilisation of chlorine—a co-product of caustic soda—by converting it into high-value downstream products.

The facility is set to produce 13,200 MTPA of Benzyl Chloride, 9,600 MTPA of Benzyl Alcohol, and 7,200 MTPA of Benzaldehyde. These chemicals are vital raw materials for industries such as pharmaceuticals, perfumery, flavours, agrochemicals, dyes, and solvents.

Production of BOH and BCHO commenced in May 2025. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Avantika Singh highlighted that the plant uses toluene and chlorine as its main raw materials and reflects GACL’s commitment to integrated and sustainable chemical manufacturing. 

Once fully operational, the plant is projected to generate annual revenues of approximately INR 400 crore, including export earnings of INR 130 crore from markets in Europe, the USA, and South Asia.

Additionally, the project is expected to create 150–200 direct jobs and 800–1,000 indirect employment opportunities, boosting the economic development of Gujarat and the country at large.

With this launch, GACL strengthens its position as a leader in the Indian chemical industry, upholding its values of innovation, sustainability, and self-reliance.