Balaji Amines Limited has successfully commenced commercial production at its Dimethyl Ether (DME) plant in Solapur, Maharashtra, marking a significant milestone as India’s first DME manufacturing facility. The plant, located at Unit-IV in Chincholi MIDC, began operations on 20th May 2026 and boasts an annual production capacity of 1,00,000 metric tonnes.
DME is recognised as a cleaner and more efficient alternative to LPG, capable of being blended with LPG to enhance fuel efficiency. In Western and European markets, DME is commonly blended up to 20% with LPG. Balaji Amines has leveraged advanced foreign technology to set up this state-of-the-art plant, aiming to reduce India’s reliance on LPG imports and save foreign exchange.
D. Ram Reddy, Managing Director of Balaji Amines, highlighted the significance of this project in advancing India’s energy self-reliance. He noted that the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced a new IS Code allowing DME to be blended with LPG up to 8%. Reddy urged public sector Oil Marketing Companies to adopt DME blending initiatives to further this cause.
The plant’s commissioning faced challenges due to the absence of specific Indian standards for DME, necessitating reliance on international standards for statutory approvals and guidelines. Initially, Balaji Amines will target the aerosol industry and other commercial applications for DME.
The launch event was attended by key company figures, including Whole-Time Director N. Rajeshwar Reddy and Senior General Manager Govind Menchekare. Reddy also outlined the company’s strategy to become a major player in the EV battery chemicals sector, focusing on Dimethyl Carbonate (DMC) and N-Methyl Pyrrolidone (NMP), both crucial for EV battery production.
Balaji Amines, as the sole manufacturer of these chemicals in India, is well-positioned to lead in this emerging market, with plans to expand its production capacity to meet growing demand.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a regulatory filing submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).