PCBL (TN), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PCBL, has started trial runs for the first phase of its brownfield carbon black expansion in Chennai, with 30,000 tonne per annum (TPA) capacity set to be commissioned in the coming weeks.

The second phase, adding another 60,000 TPA along with 12 MW of green power capacity, is expected to be operational by the end of this financial year, said Managing Director Roy. “Capex at this site is expected to commence once we obtain environmental clearance in this year,” he said.

The company aims to exceed one million tonne in total carbon black capacity by FY28. Regarding capital expenditure, a senior official stated, “We plan to invest around Rs 600 crore annually across our businesses over the next couple of years.” PCBL is also acquiring 115 acres of land at Naidupeta in Andhra Pradesh for a greenfield carbon black project

Of this, Rs 200–250 crore is earmarked for Nanovace Technologies, while Aquapharm Chemicals will receive Rs 100–125 crore annually. The remaining will go toward the carbon black segment. Nanovace recently secured a US patent for its energy storage nanomaterials. Aquapharm, acquired in 2023 for Rs 3,800 crore, specialises in specialty water chemicals.