Other Names: Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) and Hazira Ammonia Extension Plant
Address: Heavy Water Board (HWB)
Vikram Sarabhai Bhavan
Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai-400 094
Telephone: 91-022-5563240
Fax: 91-022-5563360
Email: email@mumbai.heavywaterboard.org
Website: http://www.heavywaterboard.org
Chief Executive: S.C. Hiremath
Subordinate to: Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
Primary Function: Production of heavy water for India's nuclear reactors

Description and Activities:
Owned and operated by the DAE's Heavy Water Board (HWB), the heavy water plant is located adjacent to the Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) fertilizer plant in Gujarat. The fertilizer plant provides the heavy water plant with chemical and steam inputs. The Hazira Plant can produce up to 110Mt of heavy water per year using the ammonia-hydrogen exchange process. Construction on the site began in August 1986 and the plant was commissioned in February 1991. Although most of the Rs 2.64 billion-plant was built indigenously, India did obtain sophisticated computerized mixing equipment called the "Teleperm M Plan System" from the German firm Siemens. India had previously tried to obtain an "ammonium optimizer" with a Digital Equipment Micro Vax II computer along with specialized software through the British firm Imperial Chemicals Industries (ICI). This transfer was blocked, however, after the US Department of Commerce denied the export license (ICI has several facilities in North America and the United States).

Key Sources: Andrew Koch, "Selected Indian Nuclear Facilities," Center for Nonproliferation Studies, 1999, <http://cns.miis.edu/research/india/nuclear.htm>; "Heavy Water Plant, Hazira," Heavy Water Board (DAE Government of India), <www.heavywaterboard.org/docs/hwphazira1.htm>.

	Updated September 2003