SVKMs Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies

Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering

DESIGN REPORT
ON
OXALIC ACID
By
HIMA SAMHITA KANCHARLA
(Roll No: L-014 & SAP No: 71114110003)
VIKEN SHAH
(Roll No: L-023 & SAP No: 71114110010)

FACULTY MENTOR:
RAHUL PALIWAL

SVKMs Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies

Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering,
Vile Parle (West), Mumbai 400 056.

DESIGN REPORT
ON
OXALIC ACID
By
HIMA SAMHITA KANCHARLA
(Roll No: L-014 & SAP No: 71114110003)
&
VIKEN SHAH
(Roll No: L-023 & SAP No: 71114110010)

A report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of 5

years integrated MBA (Tech.) Program of Mukesh Patel School of
Technology Management & Engineering, Narsee Monjee Institute of
Management Studies (NMIMS) (Deemed to be University), Mumbai.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The opportunity of working on Design Report, I had with Prof. Rahul Paliwal was a great
chance for learning and professional development. Therefore, I consider myself as a very
lucky individuals as we were provided with an opportunity to be a part of it. I am also
grateful for having a chance to understand so many aspects of technical and managerial.
Bearing in mind previous I am using this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude and
special thanks to the Dr. Anant Jhaveri, HOD MBA-Tech Chemical & Chairperson, who
in spite of being extraordinarily busy with his duties, took time out to hear, guide and keep
me on the correct path and allowing me to carry out my project.
I express my deepest thanks to Prof. Rahul Paliwal, Associate Professor for taking part in
useful decision & giving necessary advices and guidance and arranged all facilities to make
life easier. I choose this moment to acknowledge his/her contribution gratefully.
It is my radiant sentiment to place on record my best regards, deepest sense of gratitude to
Viken Shah, Project Partner for his careful and precious support which were extremely
valuable for my study both theoretically and practically.
Also I would like to express my deepest thanks to my institute Mukesh Patel School of
Technology Management and Engineering, NMIMS University, Mumbai to provide me
an opportunity to have practical exposure such programs. Also I would like to show my
gratitude and respect to Dr. Sharad Mhaiskar (Dean) & Prof. Anupam Asthana (Assoc.
Dean) for providing opportunity to work on such projects. Would also thank other faculties
to guide me in my project and continuously being in touch with me to provide me
assistance and support.
I perceive as this opportunity as a big milestone in my career development. I will strive to
use gained skills and knowledge in the best possible way, and I will continue to work on
their improvement, in order to attain desired career objectives. Hope to continue
cooperation with all of you in the future.
Sincerely,
Name: Hima Samhita Kancharla
Place: Mumbai
Date: 03/10/2015

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The opportunity of working on Design Report, I had with Prof. Rahul Paliwal was a great
chance for learning and professional development. Therefore, I consider myself as a very
lucky individuals as we were provided with an opportunity to be a part of it. I am also
grateful for having a chance to understand so many aspects of technical and managerial.
Bearing in mind previous I am using this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude and
special thanks to the Dr. Anant Jhaveri, HOD MBA-Tech Chemical & Chairperson, who
in spite of being extraordinarily busy with his duties, took time out to hear, guide and keep
me on the correct path and allowing me to carry out my project.
I express my deepest thanks to Prof. Rahul Paliwal, Associate Professor for taking part in
useful decision & giving necessary advices and guidance and arranged all facilities to make
life easier. I choose this moment to acknowledge his/her contribution gratefully.
It is my radiant sentiment to place on record my best regards, deepest sense of gratitude to
Hima Samhita Kancharla, Project Partner for her careful and precious support which
were extremely valuable for my study both theoretically and practically.
Also I would like to express my deepest thanks to my institute Mukesh Patel School of
Technology Management and Engineering, NMIMS University, Mumbai to provide me
an opportunity to have practical exposure such programs. Also I would like to show my
gratitude and respect to Dr. Sharad Mhaiskar (Dean) & Prof. Anupam Asthana (Assoc.
Dean) for providing opportunity to work on such projects. Would also thank other faculties
to guide me in my project and continuously being in touch with me to provide me
assistance and support.
I perceive as this opportunity as a big milestone in my career development. I will strive to
use gained skills and knowledge in the best possible way, and I will continue to work on
their improvement, in order to attain desired career objectives. Hope to continue
cooperation with all of you in the future.
Sincerely,
Name: Viken Shah
Place: Mumbai
Date: 03/10/2015

INDEX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sr. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Topic
Introduction
Structure
Preparation
Occurrence (Bio-Synthesis & Food-Plants)
Properties
Toxicity & Safety
Applications & Uses
Market Scenario (Introduction, Import & Export)
Statistics (Imports)
Statistics (Exports)
Graphical Data (Imports & Exports)
Average Price
Capacity Decision
Site Selection
Selected Site
Summary
References

Graphs 2 Graphs on page number 8.

Image 1 Image on page number 2.

Page No.
1
2
2
2
3
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
9
9
10
11
12

Design Report- Oxalic Acid | 2015-2016

Introduction:
Oxalic acid is an organic compound with the formula H2C2O4 (also written as
HOOCCOOH). It is a colorless crystalline solid that forms a colorless solution in water. It is
classified as a dicarboxylic acid. In terms of acid strength, it is much stronger than acetic acid.
Oxalic acid is a reducing agent and its conjugate base, known as oxalate (C2O42), is a chelating
agent for metal cations. Typically, oxalic acid occurs as the dihydrate with the formula
H2C2O42H2O. Excessive ingestion of oxalic acid or prolonged skin contact can be dangerous.
Oxalic acid is, of course, a chemical substance. At high concentrations, it is a dangerous
poison, but such immediately toxic levels are not found in foodstuffs but rather in manufactures,
such as some bleaches, some anti-rust products, and some metal cleaners (among other things). It
is also a naturally occurring component of plants, and is found in relatively high levels in darkgreen leafy foods (relatively high, though, is just that).
An acid (from the Latin acidus, meaning "sour") is typically a corrosive substance with a
sharp, sour taste (but tasting an acid can be extremely dangerous, depending on its strength).
Acids can range from very mild to very strong, and a given type of acid can be made weaker by
diluting it (with, for example, water). Oxalic acid is inherently a strong acid: it is about 3,000
times stronger than acetic acid, which is the chemical name for the acid in ordinary vinegar
(usually sold as around a 5% solution of acetic acid). Oxalic acid is so strong that it is widely
used industrially for bleaching and heavy-duty cleaning, notably for rust removal. If oxalic acid
is not heavily dilutedas it is in plants--it is quite dangerous to humans, being both toxic and
corrosive.
The effects of oxalic acid in the human body, when ingested in foods, flow from its
ability to combine chemically with certain metals commonly found in--and important to--the
human body, such as magnesium and calcium. When oxalic acid combines with such metals, the
result is, in chemical terms, a "salt" (table salt is just one specimen of the general class of salts);
those oxalic-acid + metal salts are called oxalates. Since oxalic acid is not (so far as is known
today) a useful nutrient, it is--like all such unneeded components of diet--processed by the body
to a convenient form, those oxalates, and that byproduct is then eventually excreted--in this case,
in the urine.

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING, NMIMS

Design Report- Oxalic Acid | 2015-2016

Structure:
Anhydrous oxalic acid exists as two polymorphs; in one
the hydrogen-bonding results in a chain-like structure whereas
the hydrogen bonding pattern in the other form defines a sheetlike structure. Because the anhydrous material is both acidic
and hydrophilic (water seeking), it is used in esterification.
Preparation:
Oxalic acid is mainly manufactured by the oxidation of carbohydrates or glucose using nitric
acid or air in the presence of vanadium pentoxide. A variety of precursors can be used
including glycolic acid and ethylene glycol. A newer method entails oxidative
carbonylation of alcohols to give the diesters of oxalic acid:
4 ROH + 4 CO + O2 2 (CO2R)2 + 2 H2O
These diesters are subsequently hydrolyzed to oxalic acid. Approximately 120,000 tons are
produced annually.
Historically oxalic acid was obtained exclusively by using caustics, such as sodium or potassium
hydroxide, on sawdust.
Occurrence:

Biosynthesis
At least two pathways exist for the enzyme-mediated formation of oxalate. In one
pathway, oxaloacetate, a component of the Krebs citric acid cycle, is hydrolyzed to
oxalate and acetic acid by the enzyme oxalo-acetase:
o [O2CC (O) CH2CO2]2 + H2O C2O42 + CH3CO2
It also arises from the dehydrogenation of glycolic acid, which is produced by the
metabolism of ethylene glycol.

In Food & Plants

Early investigators isolated oxalic acid from wood-sorrel (Oxalis). Members of
the spinach family and the brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts) are high in
oxalates, as are umbellifers like parsley, and sorrel. Rhubarb leaves contain about 0.5%
oxalic acid and jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) contains calcium
oxalate crystals. Bacteria produce oxalates from oxidation of carbohydrates.

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING, NMIMS

Design Report- Oxalic Acid | 2015-2016

Properties:
PHYSICAL STATE

White crystals

MOLECULAR WEIGHT

90.03 g.mol-1 (Anhydrous) /126.07 g.mol-1 (Di-Hydrate)

MELTING POINT

101 - 102 C

BOILING POINT

149 - 160 C (sublimes)

FLASH POINT

166 C

SPECIFIC GRAVITY

1.6 - 1.7

SOLUBILITY IN WATER

1350 mg/l

VAPOR DENSITY

4.4

NFPA RATINGS

Health: 3; Flammability: 1; Reactivity: 0

FLASH POINT

163 C

STABILITY

Stable under ordinary conditions

TOXICITY & SAFETY

Oxalic acid in concentrated form can have harmful effects through contact and if ingested;
manufacturers provide details in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). It is not identified
as mutagenic or carcinogenic; there is a possible risk of congenital malformation in the fetus;
may be harmful if inhaled, and is extremely destructive to tissue of mucous membranes and
upper respiratory tract; harmful if swallowed; harmful to and destructive of tissue and causes
burns if absorbed through the skin or is in contact with the eyes. Symptoms and effects include a
burning sensation, cough, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, spasm, inflammation
and edema of the larynx, inflammation and edema of the bronchi, pneumonitis.
In humans, ingested oxalic acid has an oral LDLo (lowest published lethal dose) of 600 mg/kg. It
has been reported that the lethal oral dose is 15 to 30 grams.
The toxicity of oxalic acid is due to kidney failure caused by precipitation of solid calcium
oxalate, the main component of kidney stones. Oxalic acid can also cause pain due to the
formation of similar precipitates in the joints. Ingestion of ethylene glycol results in oxalic acid
as a metabolite which can also cause acute kidney failure.

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING, NMIMS

Design Report- Oxalic Acid | 2015-2016

APPLICATIONS / USES:
About 25% of produced oxalic acid is used as a mordant in dyeing processes. It is used
in bleaches, especially for pulpwood. It is also used in baking powder.
Cleaning
Oxalic acid's main applications include cleaning or bleaching, especially for the removal of rust
(iron complexing agent). Bar Keepers Friend is an example of a household cleaner containing
oxalic acid. Its utility in rust removal agents is due to its forming a stable, water-soluble salt with
ferric iron, ferri-oxalate ion.
Extractive metallurgy
Oxalic acid is an important reagent in lanthanide chemistry. Hydrated lanthanide oxalates form
readily in very strongly acidic solutions in a densely crystalline, easily filtered form, largely free
of contamination by non-lanthanide elements. Thermal decomposition of these oxalate gives
the oxides, which is the most commonly marketed form of these elements.
Niche uses
Vaporized oxalic acid, or a 3.2% solution of oxalic acid in sugar syrup, is used by
some beekeepers as a miticide against the parasitic varroa mite.
Oxalic acid is rubbed onto completed marble sculptures to seal the surface and introduce a shine.
Oxalic acid is also used to clean iron and manganese deposits from quartz crystals.
Oxalic acid is used as a bleach for wood, removing black stains caused by water penetration.

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING, NMIMS

Design Report- Oxalic Acid | 2015-2016

Market Scenario:
The world demand of Oxalic Acid has been reached to 278000 Tons.
World market for oxalic acid is projected to reach 278 thousand tons by the year 2015, as stated
in a recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Worldwide demand for oxalic acid in the pharmaceutical end-use market is projected to reach
138 thousand tons by the year 2015. Asia Pacific represents the largest oxalic acid market in the
world. China dominates world consumption with an estimated 64.1% share in the world market
in the year 2007. Demand for oxalic acid in China is forecast to reach 230 thousand tons by the
year 2015. Europe and Asia-Pacific, together account for over 89.28% of the global oxalic acid
market. Consumption of oxalic acid in rare earth products end-use market is forecast to grow at a
CAGR of 3.07% over the aforementioned analysis period.
Major players in the marketplace include Barker Industries Inc., He Fei Dong Feng General
Chemicals Plant, Hill Brothers Chemical Company, Indian Oxalate Limited, Mudanjiang Hongli
Chemicals Company Limited, Punjab Chemicals & Crop Protection Limited, Radiant Agro
Chem Private Limited, Shanxi Province Yuanping Chemicals Co. Ltd, Star Oxochem Pvt.
Limited, and Ube Industries Ltd.

Imports:
India imported Oxalic Acid worth USD 13,735,767 with total quantity of 9,468,572 Kgs.
China is the largest supplier of Oxalic Acid accounting for imports worth USD
12,042,405 followed by France & Germany which exported Oxalic Acid worth USD
1,435,459 & USD 54,816 respectively.
Dadri ACPL CFS accounted for 66.1% of imports followed by Nhava Sheva Sea &
Hyderabad Air Cargo which accounts for 26.7% and 3.1% of imports respectively.

Exports:
India exported Oxalic Acid worth USD 21,346,597 with total quantity of 28,662,157
Kgs. Malaysia is the largest buyer of Oxalic Acid accounting for exports worth USD
4,533,648 followed by Russia & Mexico which imported Oxalic Acid worth USD
2,971,041 & USD 1,743,457 respectively.
Nhava Sheva Sea accounted for 73% of exports followed by Tughlakabad & Ankleshwar
which accounts for 16.2% & 4.9% of exports respectively.

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING, NMIMS

Design Report- Oxalic Acid | 2015-2016

Statistics:

Period
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Aug-13
Sep-13
Oct-13
Nov-13
Dec-13
Jan-14
Feb-14
Mar-14
Apr-14
May-14
Jun-14
Jul-14
Aug-14
Sep-14
Oct-14
Nov-14
Dec-14
Jan-15
Feb-15
Mar-15
Apr-15
May-15
Jun-15
Jul-15
Aug-15
Sep-15
TOTAL
AVG

IMPORTS
Quantity (Kg) Value (USD)
Price/Kg
540003.00
878443.00
1.63
280019.00
440406.00
1.57
302529.00
569583.00
1.88
192022.00
344598.00
1.79
464010.00
743418.00
1.60
217516.00
259450.00
1.19
7.00
11.27
1.61
151543.00
306592.00
2.02
372025.00
527741.00
1.42
463524.00
623593.00
1.35
372036.00
563028.00
1.51
157635.00
196206.00
1.24
320013.00
468402.00
1.46
172017.00
248567.00
1.45
298113.00
420029.00
1.41
21.00
35.91
1.71
365140.00
731258.00
2.00
183094.00
392339.00
2.14
300103.00
538913.00
1.80
548425.00
735763.00
1.34
333019.00
385220.00
1.16
411013.00
530879.00
1.29
242662.00
360960.00
1.49
201646.00
293745.00
1.46
136035.00
167206.00
1.23
264035.00
345458.00
1.31
251620.00
308994.00
1.23
461622.00
580014.00
1.26
335634.00
382646.00
1.14
568631.00
673667.00
1.18
70.00
84.70
1.21
382041.00
472609.00
1.24
180749.00
245908.00
1.36
9468572.00
13735766.88
48.68
286926.42
416235.36
1.48

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING, NMIMS

Design Report- Oxalic Acid | 2015-2016

Statistics:
Period
Jan-13
Feb-13
Mar-13
Apr-13
May-13
Jun-13
Jul-13
Aug-13
Sep-13
Oct-13
Nov-13
Dec-13
Jan-14
Feb-14
Mar-14
Apr-14
May-14
Jun-14
Jul-14
Aug-14
Sep-14
Oct-14
Nov-14
Dec-14
Jan-15
Feb-15
Mar-15
Apr-15
May-15
Jun-15
Jul-15
Aug-15
Sep-15
TOTAL
AVG

EXPORTS
Quantity (Kg) Value (USD)
Price / Kg
345533.00
294341.00
0.85
387320.00
322990.00
0.83
830469.00
695739.00
0.84
181765.00
181765.00
1.00
479370.00
380332.00
0.79
349111.00
258113.00
0.74
634422.00
467284.00
0.74
470775.00
320965.00
0.68
472279.00
325274.00
0.69
685402.00
482195.00
0.70
476047.00
338974.00
0.71
848028.00
569767.00
0.67
858270.00
568119.00
0.66
688113.00
476671.00
0.69
1226772.00
851954.00
0.69
806038.00
559421.00
0.69
706211.00
511281.00
0.72
712178.00
498838.00
0.70
856810.00
615261.00
0.72
837546.00
580344.00
0.69
801873.00
559361.00
0.70
1052516.00
725630.00
0.69
1253611.00
879878.00
0.70
1270178.00
957569.00
0.75
1338275.00
1042697.00
0.78
1201132.00
947496.00
0.79
1589044.00
1247123.00
0.78
1513452.00
1199916.00
0.79
1306310.00
1072572.00
0.82
1343116.00
1067792.00
0.80
1155157.00
906075.00
0.78
842117.00
631836.00
0.75
1142917.00
809024.00
0.71
28662157.00
21346597.00
24.68
868550.21
646866.58
0.75

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING, NMIMS

Design Report- Oxalic Acid | 2015-2016

Graphical Data:

Oxalic Acid - Imports

1000000.00
900000.00
800000.00
700000.00
600000.00
500000.00

400000.00
300000.00
200000.00
100000.00
0.00

Quantity

Value (USD)

Oxalic Acid - Exports

1800000.00
1600000.00
1400000.00
1200000.00
1000000.00
800000.00
600000.00
400000.00
200000.00
0.00

Quantity

Value (USD)

Average Price:

Imports Price USD 1.48 (Rs. 94.60), when 1 USD = 65.22.

Export Price USD 0.75 (Rs. 48.57), when 1 USD = 65.22.

Thus Average price of Oxalic Acid for Import & Export is Rs. 90 100 & Rs. 45 50
respectively.

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING, NMIMS

Design Report- Oxalic Acid | 2015-2016

Capacity Decision:

As we saw still there is import of 9,468,572 Kg in India.

Thus to fulfill this demand we have to produce this quantity of Oxalic Acid.
Thus,

Import Quantity = Production Quantity Per Year (in Kg)

Therefore say,

Annual Production Quantity = 9,500,000 Kg = 9500 Tons

Monthly Production Quantity = 9500 Tons / 12 = 790 Tons (Approx.)

Assuming 26 working days of plant,

Daily Production Quantity = 30 Tons

Thus plant capacity will be of 30 Tons Per Day (30 TPD).

SITE SELECTION:

Site selection is a very important pre-project planning activity. Chemical projects involve high
investment of not only finances but also time and effort. The site selected has a considerable
impact on the performance of the project during its life cycle. Hence, extensive research and
study should go into selection of the project site.
There are various aspects that need to be taken into consideration while carrying out site
selection for setting up a new chemical plant. The entire site selection process can be divided
based on the main affecting factors:
1. Prosperity Factors
2. Profitability Factors
3. Productivity Factors
For Oxalic Acid, the main aspect to be considered is the supply and source of its key raw
material, Molasses.

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING, NMIMS

Design Report- Oxalic Acid | 2015-2016

Selected Site
The project site, MIDC in Kolhapur has been selected.

Location Kolhapur is an industrial town and municipality in Kolhapur district in the

Indian state of Maharashtra.

Facilities & various infrastructure facilities at MIDC Kolhapur for a chemical industry
combined with the advantages of a metropolitan city nearby make it an ideal choice for
setting up an Oxalic Acid-manufacturing plant.

Raw Material Source Heda Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. Aurangabad. There are other suppliers
such as JK Sugars, Renuka Sugars, Dalmia Sugars, Warana Sugars, etc. in Kolhapur &
Satara district.

Transportation Roads leading to and from MIDC Kolhapur are in good condition and
provide suitable connectivity.

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING, NMIMS

10

Design Report- Oxalic Acid | 2015-2016

Summary:

Oxalic Acid is widely used in Pharmaceutical and Food industries also it is used in
metallurgical industries.

Raw materials required for Oxalic Acid Manufacturing are Molasses & Nitric Acid.

Market demand of Oxalic Acid is reached to 278000 Tons.

Imports of Oxalic Acid by India is 9,468,572 Kg which values of USD 13,735,767.

Exports of Oxalic Acid by India is 28,662,157 Kg which values of USD 21,346,597.

Average Price of Oxalic Acid in Import & Export transactions is Rs. 90 & Rs. 45-50
respectively, when 1 USD = 65.22 INR.

Capacity Decision is based on the imports in India and thus we have derived the daily
capacity of plant to be 30 Tons.

Site has been selected on basis of raw materials availability, i.e., Molasses.

The selected site is MIDC Kolhapur, since there are abundant sugar factories available in
vicinity to provide molasses continuously.

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING, NMIMS

11

Design Report- Oxalic Acid | 2015-2016

References:
1. www.wikipedia.com

2. http://www.prweb.com/releases/oxalic_acid/ethanedioic_acid/prweb732894.html

3. https://www.zauba.com/import-oxalic-acid-hs-code.html

4. https://www.zauba.com/importanalysis-oxalic+acid-report.html

5. https://www.zauba.com/export-oxalic-acid-hs-code.html

6. https://www.zauba.com/exportanalysis-oxalic+acid-report.html

7. http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/oxalic_acid#section=Methods-ofManufacturing

8. http://www.mahasme.in/MIDC.aspx?UserCreatedPageId=3

9. http://dir.indiamart.com/impcat/sugarcane-molasses.html

10. http://www.tradeindia.com/manufacturers/sugar-cane-molasses.html

MUKESH PATEL SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING, NMIMS

12