Industrial Highlights | L&T Secures EPC Contract for Coal-to-Chemicals Project in India, Driving Demand for Process Equipment and Clad Materials

India’s coal gasification and downstream chemicals sector continues to gain momentum as large industrial groups accelerate investments aimed at reducing import dependence and strengthening domestic chemical manufacturing capacity.

One of the latest developments involves Larsen & Toubro securing a major EPC contract from Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd (BCGCL) for a coal-to-ammonium nitrate project in Odisha, India. BCGCL is a joint venture between Coal India Limited and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.

The EPC package focuses on the development of an ammonia synthesis unit, a critical section in the coal-to-chemicals value chain. The produced ammonia will support downstream nitric acid and ammonium nitrate production for industrial and mining applications. Industry reports indicate the broader project may support production capacities around 2,000 tonnes per day.

Coal-to-Chemicals Projects Continue Expanding in Asia

Coal gasification projects remain strategically important in countries with abundant coal reserves and rising industrial chemical demand. India, China, and several Asian markets continue investing in:

· Coal-to-ammonia

· Coal-to-methanol

· Coal-to-olefins

· Coal-to-fertilizer

· Synthetic fuel projects

These developments are driven by:

· Energy security goals

· Fertilizer demand growth

· Industrial self-reliance initiatives

· Feedstock diversification

· Import substitution strategies

Coal gasification converts coal into synthesis gas (syngas), primarily composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This syngas becomes the foundation for manufacturing:

· Ammonia

· Methanol

· Urea

· Nitric acid

· Ammonium nitrate

· Synthetic fuels

Modern gasification facilities are highly integrated chemical complexes requiring large-scale process infrastructure and advanced metallurgy.

Process Equipment Commonly Used in Coal-to-Ammonia Projects

Coal-to-chemicals plants are among the most equipment-intensive industrial facilities because they involve:

· High temperatures

· High-pressure synthesis systems

· Corrosive process streams

· Abrasive slurry handling

· Hydrogen-rich environments

Typical process equipment includes:

· Coal gasifiers

· Ammonia synthesis reactors

· Pressure vessels

· Heat exchangers

· Syngas scrubbers

· Shift converters

· Distillation columns

· Sulfur recovery systems

· Compressors

· Air separation units

· Cryogenic systems

· Storage tanks

· High-pressure piping systems

The ammonia synthesis loop itself often operates under severe process conditions involving:

· Elevated pressure

· Hydrogen service

· Continuous cyclic loading

· High operating temperatures

Because of this, material reliability and corrosion resistance are critical during EPC design and fabrication stages.

Applicable Materials for Coal Gasification and Ammonia Plants

Carbon Steel Materials

Carbon steel remains widely used for:

· Structural fabrication

· General pressure vessels

· Utility piping

· Storage systems

Typical grades include:

· ASTM A516 Gr.70

· ASTM A106 Gr.B

· ASTM A105

· SA387 alloy steel

These materials provide good mechanical strength and cost efficiency for general industrial service.

Stainless Steel Materials

Stainless steels are heavily used in:

· Process piping

· Heat exchangers

· Corrosion-prone sections

· Water treatment systems

· Gas cleaning systems

Typical grades include:

· 304L

· 316L

· Duplex 2205

· Super Duplex 2507

These materials improve corrosion resistance in wet gas and chemical environments.

Nickel Alloy Materials

Coal gasification and ammonia plants may also require nickel alloys in severe operating environments, especially in:

· Hydrogen-rich systems

· Acidic process areas

· High-temperature reactors

· Chloride-containing streams

Common materials include:

· Inconel 625

· Incoloy 825

· Monel 400

These alloys are frequently specified for critical process reliability and long service life.

Titanium Materials

Titanium materials are increasingly applied in:

· Cooling water systems

· Wastewater treatment units

· Corrosion-critical heat exchangers

· Desalination-related utilities

Typical grades include:

· Titanium Gr.1

· Titanium Gr.2

Titanium offers excellent corrosion resistance in aggressive industrial environments.

Clad Plates Becoming Increasingly Important in Coal-to-Chemicals EPC Projects

As chemical plants continue scaling up in size and complexity, EPC contractors and fabricators are increasingly using clad plates instead of solid alloy construction for major process equipment.

Clad plates combine:

· A carbon steel base layer for structural strength

· A corrosion-resistant alloy layer for process protection

This approach helps reduce overall equipment cost while maintaining corrosion resistance and fabrication performance.

Typical clad material combinations include:

· Stainless steel clad plate

· Titanium clad steel plate

· Nickel alloy clad plate

· Duplex clad plate

These materials are widely used in:

· Pressure vessels

· Ammonia synthesis reactors

· Gasification systems

· Towers and columns

· Heat exchangers

· Hydrogen service equipment

· High-pressure separators

Compared with solid alloy equipment, clad materials can help:

· Reduce total material cost

· Improve fabrication efficiency

· Lower equipment weight

· Extend equipment service life

· Improve resistance to corrosive process streams

For large coal gasification and fertilizer projects, clad plates are increasingly considered an economical and technically reliable solution for EPC contractors and heavy equipment fabricators.

India Continues Investing in Industrial Chemical Infrastructure

India’s growing focus on coal gasification and downstream chemicals reflects broader industrial policy aimed at increasing domestic manufacturing capability and reducing dependence on imported ammonia, methanol, and fertilizer products.

Large EPC contractors such as Larsen & Toubro continue expanding across:

· Refining

· Petrochemicals

· LNG

· Fertilizers

· Hydrogen

· Coal-to-chemicals

· Clean energy infrastructure

This trend is expected to create long-term opportunities for:

· Process equipment manufacturers

· Pressure vessel fabricators

· Heavy engineering contractors

· Corrosion-resistant alloy suppliers

· Clad plate manufacturers

About FUGO TECH

FUGO TECH specializes in advanced clad material solutions for:

· Coal gasification projects

· Fertilizer plants

· Petrochemical facilities

· Hydrogen infrastructure

· LNG and offshore projects

· Refining and chemical plants

Main products include:

· Explosive clad plates

· Roll bonded clad plates

· Titanium clad steel plates

· Nickel alloy clad plates

· Stainless steel clad plates

These materials are widely applicable for:

· Pressure vessels

· Reactors

· Towers and columns

· Heat exchangers

· Hydrogen systems

· Corrosion-resistant process equipment

As coal-to-chemicals and ammonia infrastructure projects continue expanding globally, high-performance clad materials are expected to play an increasingly important role in future EPC and industrial process developments.

For any new requirement, please contact: sales@fugo-tech.com

www.fugo-tech.com