Kochi, May 11 (PTI): Industrial Gases major Air Products today said its Build-Own-Operate new industrial complex in the Integrated Refinery Expansion Project of BPCL Kochi was the largest of its kind in India in terms of investment.

"The company has invested several hundred million dollars for the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) project, the largest of its kind in India in terms of investment," Richard Boocock, President, Industrial Gases (Middle East, India, Egypt and Turkey) told a press conference here.

"As one of the fastest growing economies in the world, we are very proud to invest in India and want to continue growing our presence and strong relationships in the region as the safest and most innovative industrial gas company," he said.

The IREP was inagurated today by state Minister for Local Self-Government K T Jaleel in the presence of P Thilothaman, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Richard Boockock and Samir J Serhan, company Executive Vice President, besides others.

The Complex, which generates hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and steam, is an invaluable constituent of BPCL's IREP to manufacture auto-fuels complying with Euro-IV/Euro-V specifications, the company said in a release.

It said the IREP would enable BPCL increase refining capacity from 190,000 to 310,000 barrels per day, while producing cleaner fuels through upgraded fuel specification.

R Ramachandran, Director, Refineries, BPCL, said the commissioning of IREP in 2017 made BPCL Kochi Refinery the largest public sector refinery in India and enabled it to manufacture auto-fuels complying with the required Bharat Stage IV (Euro IV) specifications and a greater depth of conversion.

IREP is one of the largest investments Kerala has ever witnessed,targeted at enhancing the refining capacity of Kochi refinery at a cost of Rs 16,500 crore. With the increased capacity of 15.5 million tonnes, the refinery would transform itself into a most modern industrial complex having global standards, he said.

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