The Punjab-based IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IOLCP), one of the largest producers of organic chemicals and bulk drugs in India, received two coveted certifications that would boost the export prospects of its pharma product Ibuprofen to various countries.

The certifications that came in the way of IOL were 'accreditation certificate of foreign drug manufacture' from ministry of health, labour and welfare, Japan and 'certificate of pharmaceutical product' (COPP) from director, health and family welfare, Punjab.

The COPP award was issued confirming to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and it certifies IOL's Ibuprofen as an active pharmaceuticals ingredient fit to be exported to other countries from India.

Besides, the company has DMF acknowledgment for Ibuprofen from US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its kitty. IOL exports its various products to several countries across the world, including Argentina, Brazil, China, Denmark, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kenya, Malaysia, Peru, Egypt etc.

"We are extremely delighted to receive these certifications as they will open up a whole new market of opportunities for us. As one of India's leading manufacturers of bulk drugs, we aim to capitalise on the opportunities and strengthen our export revenues further by exporting ibuprofen to several pharmaceutical markets abroad," said, R K Thukral, executive director, IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Limited.

The production capacity of Ibuprofen has been the stronghold of IOL's pharmaceutical operations and the company has recently boosted its Ibuprofen plant capacity to 3600 TPA from 1800 TPA. The company further aims to expand the capacity to 6000 TPA. IOL's expansion plans worth Rs 216 crore include capacity expansion for its various product lines, forward and backward integration and increase in cogeneration of power.

"We are working at an enormous pace to increase our manufacturing capacity to keep up with the burgeoning demand for our most successful pharmaceutical product, ibuprofen, which is used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation caused by many ailments such as headache, toothache, back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, or minor injuries," said, Thukral.

As part of its backward integration plan, the company is expected to commence a new plant of Isobutyl Benzene having annual capacity of 6000 MT to ensure ready availability of the most important raw material of Ibuprofen. The production in this plant is expected to commence in next quarter.


On the other hand, as part of its forward integration plan, IOLCP will add two more products - Mono Chloro Acetic Acid with a capacity of 6600 TPA and Acetyl Chloride with a capacity of 4800 TPA - using acetic acid and acetic anhydride as a raw material.

The company has also plans to increase the production capacity of acetic acid from 50000 TPA to 75000 TPA, ethyl acetate from 33000 TPA to 36000 TPA and acetic anhydride from 12000 TPA to 18000 TPA.

Equipped with cutting edge tools and facilities, IOL's research and development process is managed by a highly trained and motivated team of experts. The company's capabilities in research and breakthrough developments have allowed it to undertake in-house development of technologies required for the manufacturing process.