The Hyderabad-based Vishnu Chemicals is setting up a manufacturing facility for chemicals and drugs in the Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) in Parawada near Visakhapatnam with an investment of Rs 54 crore.

Vishnu Chemicals, founded in 1990, is a pioneer in manufacturing Chrome Chemicals like Sodium Dichromate, Basic Chromium Sulphate and Yellow Sodium Sulphate. It has three plants, of which two are in Hyderabad and the other Bhilai. With the valued added products like Chromic Acid, White Sodium Sulphate, Vitamin K3, Saccharin and Anthraquinone and its derivatives, the company has expanded its product line to a point where it can supply over 10 compounds that are used in various industries.

The company produces intermediates for bulk drugs such as Rabeprazole Sodium, Losartan Potassium having applications in anti-ulcerative and anti-hypertension segments. The company also has plans to strengthen its activity in the manufacture of bulk drugs.

Vishnu Chemicals will be operating its new facility in the Pharma City along with other major companies such as SNF (India), (French Subsidiary company), Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, Shasun Drugs and Chemicals, Aurobindo Pharma, Matrix Laboratories, Granules India and Suven Life Sciences.

Besides Vishnu Chemicals, companies that have already commenced construction at JNPC are Glochem Industries Limited, Vasudha Pharma Chem, Vijaysri Organics Limited and Auctus Pharma. By December, 2006, these companies may start trial runs, sources said.