National Fertilizers Ltd (NFL) has informed Bombay Stock Exchange that it will set up a production plant for dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) at its Vijaipur (Guna, Madhya Pradesh) site for ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) with an investment of Rs 350 crores.
The company has received a letter of intent (LoI) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (SDSC-SHAR) for establishing the plant on build, own, operate & supply model. ISRO had invited tenders for establishing the dinitrogen tetroxide plant in August 2016.
Nitrogen tetroxide is used as oxidiser in specific stages of rocket launch vehicles launched by ISRO and also used for ground testing of specific engines and stages of launch vehicles.
Debt-ridden public sector undertaking (PSU) Hindustan Organic Chemicals Limited (HOCL) is the sole producer of N2O4 for ISRO. With N2O4 production continuing intermittently at HOCL, experts believe ISRO has been looking at setting up a new plant for assured supply of this key chemical.
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