Eloor(Kochi): FACT has reduced production of its main product, Factomphos, and increased the price due to the unavailability of the raw material, phosphoric acid.

The price of a 50 kg bag of Factomphos has gone up from Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,425. One Factomphos plant in FACT, which used to produce 450–510 tonnes per day, has been closed. Another plant, which used to produce 150–210 tonnes per day, is now producing only 150–170 tonnes. The production was reduced at a time when Factomphos is in highest demand.

In the Cochin Division in Ambalamugal, 2,500 tonnes of Factomphos were produced in two plants. Now, only 1,000 tonnes.

FACT had been importing phosphoric acid from a company in Morocco for years. In the face of severe shortages, FACT has been looking for a global supplier for phosphoric acid. A tender was called. The Moroccan company did not participate in the tender.

No one else is willing to supply phosphoric acid at the price offered by the Moroccan company. FACT is not getting the required quantity of phosphoric acid from other companies. This is why production has been reduced.

There are 250 contract workers working in the Factomphos plants. They are paid only on the days they work. Due to the closure of one of these plants and the reduction in production at the other plants, they are now without work and wages.

The price of another FACT product, ammonium sulphate, has also been increased. It was previously priced at Rs 925 per 50 kg, but has now been increased to Rs 985.