Over in 225 Soyabean Processing units, including 50 of the State and 15 located in Indore city and Pithampur have reached on verge of closure due to non-supply of Hexane by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies. The situation created a serious challenge before the units and also its employees about their future.

Traditionally the November-December is high time for the soya processing units across the country as they reached to climax of processing the soybean which resultantly produces soya oil and soya cake and meal. These items also contribute to the export of the country also. But at the same time, the PSU OMCs have stopped the supply of Hexane to these units, which is a crucial component for solvent extraction from Soyabean.

However, Soyabean Processors Association (SOPA), a city headquarter apex representative body of soya processors, has urged the government of India to intervene in this situation. In a letter written to Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, DN Pathak, Executive Director of SOYA has urged him to help save the units. Pathak stated that we have been informed by many of our Soy Processor members that HPCL is not able to supply hexane as per demand. Hexane is an essential consumable for oil extraction and its non-availability is adversely affecting the plant operations. If the supply of hexane is not ensured without interruption, the plants will be forced to shut and any large scale closure of plants will cause disruption in operations, right from purchase of raw material from the farmers to the supply of end products (Soybean Oil and Meal) to the consumers and poultry industry.

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