Tata Chemicals, established in 1939, is a part of the Tata Group and specializes in sustainable chemistry solutions. The company operates primarily through two divisions: Basic Chemistry, which includes alkali chemicals such as Soda Ash, Sodium Bicarbonate, Salt, and other inorganic chemicals; and Specialty Products, which encompass Agrochemicals and Seeds, Silica, and Prebiotics. Tata Chemicals’ varied product range provides essential components to numerous leading global brands across multiple industries, including glass, detergents, pharmaceuticals, food, animal feed, and more. It holds notable market positions in Soda Ash and Sodium Bicarbonate.
The specialty products division includes Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS) and Prebiotics. HDS, developed through patented technology, is targeted primarily for tyre applications. The company holds a leadership position in the domestic prebiotics market and has established a robust fermentation platform, offering significant future growth prospects. Its flagship product, fructo-oligosaccharide, is a prebiotic dietary fiber that supports the growth of gut microbiome and enhances digestive and immune health.
The company has a strong position in the crop protection business through its subsidiary company Rallis India, which offers a comprehensive crop care solutions portfolio, including active ingredients and formulations for crop protection, crop nutrition, seeds, and biopesticides. As a prominent global manufacturer of active ingredients such as Acephate, Hexaconazole, Pendimethalin, and Metribuzin, Rallis is poised to drive growth, through new products and broadening customer base.
1927: Kapil Ram Vakil sets up Okhamandal Salt Works. On May 4, VT Krishnamachari, then dewan (administrator) of Baroda, lays foundation stone.
1937: Tatas approached to take over Okhamandal Salt Works.
1939: Tata's took over Okha Salt Works.
1939: Tata Chemicals Limited incorporated on January 23.
1942: First unit of chemical works - a bromine plant - is completed. It is the only plant of its kind in India.
1943: Auxiliary power plant commissioned.
1943: Production of caustic soda, liquid chlorine, bleaching powder, hydrochloric acid and zinc chloride commences at Mithapur plant.
1944: Soda ash production starts in February.
1944: Lease agreement signed between Baroda state and Tata Chemicals on March 16.
1944: Tata Chemicals given rights to manufacture salt and marine minerals and to use lime stone and other raw materials within the Kathiawad region of the state.
1946-50: Hospital and medical facilities set up in Mithapur.
1946-50: Production of sodium bicarbonate starts.
1952-53: Soda ash capacity increases from 50 to 100 tonnes per day.
1955-56: Production of technical grade benzene hexachloride (a pesticide) starts.
1956-57: Ethylene dibromide, a new product from bromine, introduced.
1956-57: Production of copper oxychloride, an insecticide, starts. Plant and equipment designed in-house.
1957: Joint venture with Fison Pest Control to form Tata Fisons.
1957: Subsequently merged with Rallis in 1972-73.
1961-62: Production of dense soda ash starts.
1962-63: Net profit increases from Rs16.9 lakh to Rs79.7 lakh.
1962-63: Significant breakthrough as technical staff succeed in using treated sea water in place of fresh water.
1964: Soda ash capacity touches 400 tonnes per day.
1969: Further expansion of soda ash capacity.
1971-75: Tata Chemicals discontinues sale of chemicals through Tata Oil Mills (TOMCO) and starts selling on its own.
1971-75: Plant and machinery worth Rs414 lakh installed.
1971-75: Tata Energy Research Institute set up with an initial contribution of Rs1 crore. Aimed at undertaking research and development of alternate forms of energy.
1977-78: Shipping division started. MV Jagdev purchased from the Great Eastern Shipping Company.
1977-78: Wholly-owned investment subsidiary, Roshan Investments set up (name changed to Varuna Investments Limited in 1978).
1979: Relief and rehabilitation programmes undertaken for those affected by Morvi floods.
1979-80: Develops new salt works.
1979-80: Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development established to improve quality of life in Okhamandal villages.
1981-90: Tata Salt, India's first iodised, vacuum evaporated, branded salt launched
1981-90: Starts mini toy train, Sabras Express, in Mithapur
1992: Regional development programme for Okhamandal villages started
1992: Tata Shudh detergent launched
1993: New cement plant started in Mithapur
1994: Fertiliser plant at Babrala commissioned in 36 months, a world record for setting up a fertiliser plant
2002: Mithapur plant, India awarded the ISO 14001 certificate
2003: Tata Salt ranked No. 1 Food brand in Brand Equity Survey of India's most trusted brands
2003: Mithapur becomes the first industrial township to be awarded the ISO 14001 certificate
2003: Fertiliser plant gets ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification
2004: Tata Chemicals gets ISO 14001 certification for the Babrala Township
2004: Sets up the Innovation Centre to develop world-class R&D capability in the emerging areas of nanotechnology and biotechnology
2005: First step towards internationalisation – Tata Chemicals acquires stake in Indo Maroc Phosphore SA (IMACID)
2006: Tata Chemicals completes acquisition of UK-based Brunner Mond Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of soda ash and associated alkaline products
2006: Launched i-Shakti salt.
2007: Tata Salt Lite launched.
2008: Tata Chemicals becomes world's second largest soda ash manufacturer after acquiring US-based General Chemical Industrial Products (GCIP)
2009: Tata Chemicals launches 'Tata Swach' water purifier, designed to tackle one of India's biggest social and technological challenges – the need for safe drinking water
2010: Tata Chemicals launches I-Shakti dals and pulses
2010: Rallis India acquires majority stake in Metahelix Life Sciences
2010: Tata Chemicals acquires 100 percent stake in leading vacuum salt producer British Salt, UK
2011: Tata Chemicals rebrands global subsidiaries - Tata Chemicals North America (General Chemical Industrial Products), Tata Chemicals Magadi (Magadi Soda Company), Tata Chemicals Europe (Brunner Mond and British Salt)
2011: Acquires stake in EPM Mining Ventures, Canada
2012: Tata Salt Plus, India's first iodine plus iron fortified salt launched
2012: Tata Salt launches its flavoured variants - 'Flavoritz'
2013: Tata Chemicals launches innovative organic plant growth regulators – FarmGro and FarmGro G
2013: Tata Chemicals signs MoU with the Institute of Chemical Technology to set up endowment chair
2013: Tata Chemicals's efforts help save more than 350 whale sharks
2014: Tata Chemicals completes 75 years in business
2014: State-of-art innovation centre inaugurated in Pune
2014: Tata Chemicals launches Paras 20:20:0:13 ammonium phosphate sulphate fertiliser
2015: Tata Chemicals launches Tata Sampann with a focus on providing everyday nourishing foods
2015: Tata Chemicals signs MoU with Tata Community Initiatives Trust to build the first skill development centre under Tata Strive
2017-18: Completes sale and transfer of Urea Business (Babrala) to Yara Fertilisers India
2017-18: Divests phosphatic fertiliser and trading business (Haldia) to IRC Agrochemicals
2017-18: Starts construction of 5,000 MT manufacturing plant of fructooligosaccharides in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
2017-18: Acquires the precipitated silica business of Allied Silica in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu; starts manufacturing Highly Dispersible Silica (HDS)
2017-18: Launches new Tata Sampann products - Multigrain Khichdi, Nutri Mix Chillas and Organic Pulses
2017-18: Launches MedikarbTM, India’s - first branded pharmaceutical-grade sodium bicarbonate
2017-18: Ranks no 1 in the Responsible Business Rankings 2017, a report co-produced by the Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur and Futurescape Netcom
2017-18: Receives the Sustainable Plus Platinum Label, India's first and only corporate sustainability label, instituted by CII’s Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, for FY 2016
2017-18: Wins the coveted award for Fair Business Practices at the 30th Jamnalal Bajaj Awards
2017-18: Scores Grade B under climate change performance management category in CDP 17 and stands 1st under material category
2018-19: Tata Chemicals takes the top spot for Sustainability and CSR in Responsible Business Ranking 2019
2018-19: Tata Chemicals ranked amongst top 25 India’s Most Innovative Companies of 2019
2018-19: Tata Chemicals increases holding in Tata Chemicals North America to 100%
2018-19: Tata Chemicals Magadi wins at the company of the year awards 2019
2018-19: Tata Chemicals launches li-ion battery recycling operations
2018-19: Tata Global Beverages and Tata Chemicals announce transaction to combine consumer businesses to create a focused consumer products company
2019-20: Rapidly expands capacity to produce essential products and align with the new strategic imperative brought on by the pandemic
2019-20: Showcases biodiversity conservation projects at the UN Convention on Migratory Species (COP - 13)
2019-20: Completes demerger of Consumer Products Business to become a focussed science driven chemistry company
2019-20: Commences trial production at the 5,000 MT greenfield biotechnology manufacturing unit in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
2019-20: Commences commercial production of non-rubber and rubber grade Silica at 900 TPM Silica plant in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu
2019-20: Commences commercial production of the first phase expansion (500 MT) of Metribuzin plant
2019-20: Secures land in Dholera, Gujarat to set up a greenfield manufacturing facility for Energy Sciences vertical
2021: UK operations successfully commissioned 40 KT Carbon Capture and Utilisation Plant (CCU).
2024: Commissioned 53 MWh, 300 TPH steam power plant in India.
2024: Commissioned 228 KTPA Soda Ash plant in India.
2024: Commissioned 8.5 KT Tyre-grade Silica plant in India.
2024: Collaborates with IITB-Monash Research Academy, focusing on pioneering research in the perovskite/clean energy domain.
2024: Signed a MoU with BAIF Development Research Foundation to explore the production of Spineless Cactus and Hybrid Napier.
2025: Signed an agreement with Bharatiya Sanskriti Darshan Trust's Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research Centre in Pune to foster innovative solutions supporting holistic wellbeing.