MUMBAI: Tata Chemicals Ltd. (TCL) is now looking at new lines of business allied to the agri industry and has formed a small team to study the opportunities of applying new technologies in this field. Addressing shareholders at the company's 67th annual general meeting (AGM) here on Monday, Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata group, said, "both agro and agri-based sectors will be exploited using biotechnology or nanotechnology as a base. We are looking at increasing the breadth in the agri and foods field through these technological platforms. These are new technologies with enormous potential and we have formed a small group to look into this.''

TCL has announced a dividend of Rs. 7 per share (Rs. 6.50 in the previous year) and has drawn up a capital expenditure plan of Rs. 300 crore over the next three years. It has established a network of 467 `Tata Kisan Kendras' so far, offering 204 products.

Following the acquisition of U.K.-based Brunner Mond and a 33 per cent stake in Imacid of Morocco earlier in 2005-06, TCL has emerged as the third largest producer of soda ash in the world and has now manufacturing facilities spanning three continents. The company has a 33 per cent market share in India for soda ash. "We will scan for opportunities for acquisitions for gaps in our product mix and are increasingly looking to become a global player,'' said Mr. Tata.

On the much awaited Urea pricing policy, Mr. Tata said, some decisions were needed. "We are still awaiting Government permission for debottlenecking of the Babrala plant and we understand it will come as part of the Urea Policy to be announced by the Government by end-August.''

According to Prasad Menon, Managing Director, TCL, the company is expanding the capacity of Brunner Mond to supply dense soda ash to 1.5 million tonnes per annum.

The company is also exploring locations for availability of cheaper gas. "We will be launching crop-specific high value fertilisers in the next 6-9 months. We will also have a facility for R&D at Hyderabad next year'' said Mr. Menon.

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