India
As Uhde completes 100 years, we take a look at the growth story of its India operations.
thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions India (formerly Uhde India) is amongst the leading engineering companies in the Indian firmament and a key company in the Chemical Process and Technologies Business Unit
It was indeed great foresight of thyssenkrupp (then UHDE Gmbh) when they decided to establish an engineering set up in India during late 60’s, anticipating high growth markets in the Chemical sector. The Company was started with a few colleagues from Germany, in the southern part of Mumbai to cater to small-sized projects. After its humble beginning, the Company soon started growing and became a full-fledged Indian company in 1977 as UHDE India Limited with a German Managing Director and around 50 Indian colleagues. Little did anyone realize the extent to which the new office would grow, or the strides it would take in reaching the upper echelons of the engineering firmament in the Indian sub-continent.
Our Beginnings
Urea-grade NPK Fertiliser Complex
Today, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions India Private Ltd. – tkIS India (erstwhile UHDE India Limited) is one of the leading engineering companies in India, well sought after by not only Indian customers but also overseas clients. More than 1,400 engineers work out of its two offices in Mumbai and one in Pune. The company has to its credit more than 800 projects successfully-engineered and commissioned for various chemical sectors over a span of 45 years covering Nitrogenous and Phosphatic Fertilizers, Caustic Soda-Chlorine, variety of Petrochemicals and Polymers, several Oil Refinery units, Metallurgical Plants, Cryogenic Storages etc.
This stupendous growth was the result of dedicated services of the Indian engineers under the guidance of the parent company (now business Unit - Chemical Process Technology of thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG). The Indian Company was headed by the successive Managing Directors from the Parent Company for almost 35 years, which finally changed with the appointment of an Indian Managing Director with a well-established Indian Management team, in the year 2014.
Caustic Soda - Chlorine Complex
Markets and Technologies
The journey of tkIS India has been very interesting as they diversified in various sectors with a variety of projects for different chemical products, in keeping with the pace of growth of the Indian Chemical Industry. The projects were implemented utilizing the technologies from the Parent Company (BU-CPT/UHDE) as well as from other well-known international Licensors.
In the late 60’s, the focus was on Nitrogenous Fertilizer Technologies and Cryogenic Storages. With the first order for Caustic Soda Chlorine Plant in Kerala State of India in mid 70’s, tkIS India progressed to attain a leadership position with a market share of more than 70% in India, initially based on Mercury Cell Technology, and then the revolutionary Membrane Cell Technology in late 80’s. The total capacity of Caustic Soda produced from plants based thyssenkrupp techhnology in India, today exceeds 3.4 million tons per annum.
1960s
HDPE Plant at Thane, Belapur, Maharashtra
1970s
First Major Cryogenic Storage Contract in Trombay
First large-sized Mercury Cell-based Caustic Soda Plant at Vadodara
1980s
Nitrotoluene Plant in Rasayani
Mercury Cell Caustic Soda Plants in Chennai, Alwar and Nangal
1990s
Caustic Soda-Chlorine Project - Reliance Industries (IPCL)
Caustic Soda-Chlorine Project - Birla Group / Grasim Industries
2000s
Caustic Soda-Chlorine Project - Andhra Sugars Limited
2010s
DAP Complex - Coromandel International
Cumene Phenol Petrochemical Complex
Another break through was achieved in mid 80’s when tkIS India was selected to build a large-sized Petrochemical Plant for production of Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB-Surfactant Chemicals) near Chennai in south of India. Subsequently, tkIS India had the honour of being associated with further number of Linear Alkyl Benzene Projects in India, as well as in in Saudi Arabia. tkIS India then went on with execution of several Petrochemicals and Polymer projects, for Indian and overseas customers.
BS VI Clean Fuel Refinery project
When Public Sector Oil Refining Companies in India, started looking for Engineering Companies, for their major expansions and new refineries, tkIS India seized the opportunity in late 80’s - early 90s, to build the first refinery unit – Visbreaker – for a refinery in the south of India. This paved the way for business for several refinery units, with the result that today almost 40% of the engineering capacities of tkIS India are being utilized for projects of the Oil Refineries.
Due to its very large population, India requires not only Nitrogenous Fertilizers but also huge quantities of Phosphatic Fertilizers. Anticipating such large demands, tkIS India also ventured into Phosphatic Fertilizers ,for DAP/NPK as well as Phosphoric Acid projects. Today, tkIS India is regarded the leaders in design and construction of Phosphatic Fertilizer Plants in India.
Our Presence Today
Such a growth story was possible due to the trust reposed by several reputed customers, the valuable support given by the Parent Company and the team of dedicated engineers and employees who have been part of the organization for decades.
It has been indeed a great privilege for tkIS India to be recognized as the largest engineering hub of thyssenkrupp industrial solutions outside Germany . tkIS India is also partnering with Parent Company for their large-sized projects in various countries, by way of providing engineering and allied services of matching International quality and standards.
tkIS India has a global footprint for its engineering services or EPC projects covering more than 40 countries, either along with the parent company or directly for customers.
The company places very high emphasis on Quality, Safety, Environment and Compliances. The team of 1,400 well-experienced employees deliver approximately 2 million man hours encompassing engineering, procurement, construction and project management. This capacity allows it to implement projects worth approximately valued in the range of USD 1.5 – 2 bio per annum for its customers.
tkIS India has well demonstrated flexibility in Project implementation based on a variety of modes of contracting that is EPCM services or EP / EPC-LSTK delivery of the plants, as per the preference of the customers.