2007-08 - Aditya Birla Nuvo, Ltd

ANNEXURE ‘B’ TO DIRECTORS’ REPORTii) Carbon Black Division• R&D in the field of Carbon Black application industry like Ink, Plastic and Paints.iii) Insulator Division• Development of New Products like 210 KN HVDC and 420 KN AC Insulators.• Development of alternate body formulation for extra high voltage applications.• Conversion in Kilns [K-3, K-4 and K-5 (proposed)] from SKO to Coal Gas supplied fromDankuni coal complex. The conversion will result in cost savings as well as lessenvironmental impact.• Testing facilities development for in-house testing of high voltage insulators.• Development of 1200 kV solid core insulators.• High strength 800 kV Hollow porcelain for Support and Chamber insulators.• High creepage and extra high strength Large Bushings.• Use of alternate gaseous fuels instead of Liquid fuel in the manufacturing process.iv) Indo Gulf Fertilisers• To continue R&D work especially in the area of new product development area and toachieve excellence in producing and marketing value added products and on a projectin association with IIT, Kanpur, for the removal of Ammonia, Urea and Carbon-di-Oxidefrom Ammonia/Urea Process Condensate using novel membrane techniques. This projectinvolves a great deal of R&D activities and innovation.d) Expenditure on R&D:i) Capital Expenditure - Rs. 41.99 Lacsii) Recurring Expenditure - Rs. 231.72 Lacsiii) Total - Rs. 273.71 Lacsiv) Total R&D Expenditure as a percentage of total turnover 2.26%.2. TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION, ADAPTATION AND INNOVATIONa) Efforts in brief, made towards technology absorption, adaptation and innovation:i) Indo Gulf Fertilisers• Indo Gulf Fertilisers is working on a project in association with IIT, Kanpur, for the removalof Ammonia, Urea and Carbon-di-Oxide from Ammonia/Urea Process Condensate usingnovel membrane techniques. The project involves a great deal of R&D activities andinnovation. This project involves a great deal of R&D activities and innovation. If thisproject is successful then it would be a breakthrough/first of its own kind of project inthe fertiliser industry. The existing process involves use of large quantity of steam fordistillation process. This project would lead to the savings of energy in the form ofsteam.ii) Insulator Division• Installation of German Machineries in line with latest advanced technology for insulators.b) Benefits derived as a result of the above efforts:Quality improvement in existing range, development of new market segments, improvement inprocess, productivity and cost control, improvement in energy efficiency and reduction in inputmaterial consumption.c) Information regarding Technology imported during the last five years:• Technology imported during last five years : Nil• Has Technology been fully absorbed : Not ApplicableC. FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS AND OUTGOThe information on foreign exchange earnings and outgo is contained in Schedule 19 and the annexurethereto.(72)