Addressing analysts, DSQ Biotec whole-time director MG Anant Kumar said that the company's Rs 415 crore expansion project will include 60,000 litre per day grain based extraction unit for its neutral alcohol plant. This project, Mr Kumar said, will be completed by December 2000 and DSQ Biotec claims that it is the first of its kind in India.

Other projects in the pipeline include a alcoholic beverage bottling plant to be completed by December 2000, 70 TPD sorbitol liquid plant which will be operational in March 2001.

Besides a 10 TPD Sorbitol powder plant which is also the first one in India will be in place by March 20001, while a 250 TPD maize processing plant will be operational during the same year. "A 300 TPD wheat processing plant to be operational by March 2001 and a 150 TPD animal feed plant to be ready by March 2001," Mr Kumar said.

These integrated plants will be situated at Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu in an area of 6000 acres, he said.

The company plans to be among the top 10 producers in the world for value added agro products and will constantly increase capacity and upgrade technology.

The total investment in the manufacturing complex will be to a tune of Rs 415 crore, for which the funds have been tied up, he said.

The company has also said that it will soon have centres in the US which will independently develop biotec solutions. DSQ Biotec will also enter the area of contract research for which it claims it has already received orders from many leading companies in the world.