The Hindu Business Line : Cetex Petro to focus on fine chemicals biz

CETEX Petrochemicals Ltd, till recently a part of the RPG group, which was acquired by a group of entrepreneurs in April, expects to grow by expanding fine chemicals business and focussing on niche markets.

Cetex Petrochemicals was acquired by SPEC (Standard Energy Products and Chemicals Ltd), an importer of fuel additive components, floated by a group of entrepreneurs.

Cetex's Chairman, Mr S. Pattu, told reporters at the launch of its new business here today, that Cetex is a major manufacturer of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and secondary butyl alcohol (SBA) with a 60 per cent market share. Its new businesses would be in fine chemicals and energy chemicals.

MEK, a solvent, finds application in the surface coating industry, lubricating oil dewaxing, plastic processing, resin and printing ink industry.

SBA is used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical intermediates, as solvent in the paints and lacquer industry and for production cleaning compounds, printing inks and in flexographic printing.

As a part of the fine chemicals business, the company was looking at opportunities in aroma chemicals, which find wide application in healthcare, food and flavouring industries. Cetex plans to exploit natural sources of aroma chemicals, he said. Mr S. Ilanahai, Cetex's Managing Director, said that the acquisition also presents an opportunity to expand existing business - exporting MEK and SBA and importing lubricants and other petro products.