KATHA & KUTCH
[EIRI/EDPR/0564] J.C. 9159
INTRODUCTION
Katha and cutch are produced from the heart wood of Acacia catechu. It is a common tree found in the tropical deciduous and thorn forests of India. Katha is mainly used in betel leaf (Pan) as masticatory and valued for its catechin content. Cutch, the bye product of Katha industry is largely used for dyeing, colouring pulp in paper industry, water softening and in deep oil drilling operations.
Katha is obtained mostly by crystallization in cold from the water extractives of the heartwood of Acacia catechu Willd., fam. Leguminosae commonly known as Khair tree, which is widely distributed in India, form the north-west plains to eastwards in Assam and throughout the country, particularly in the deciduous and drier regions. The other species namely, A. chundra Willd and A. catechuoides of Katha is carried out both, as a cottage scale industry in and around the organized sector. The general principle of extraction of the heartwood and of consequent separation of Katha (containing most of catechin) from cutch (Principally catechu-tannic acid) is the same in cottage sector as well as large scale units. In the conventional process of Katha manufacture followed by cottage sector of the industry, during separation of the crystalline Katha, the soluble cutch-tans, a valuable by-product are neither effectively removed nor recovered, except by a few.
Katha is one of the principal ingredients used in the preparation of PAN from betel leaves, for chewing purposes when, in combination with lime, it gives the characteristic red coloration. In Ayruvedic and Unani systems of medicine, Katha is used as astringent; cooling and digestive; useful in relaxed conditions of throat, mouth and gums; and also in cough and diarrhoca. Externally, it is employed as an astringent and as a cooling application to ulcers, boils and cruptions of the skin.
A rational specification for Katha, fair both to manufacturers as well as consumers, should take into account its main constituent, namely, the catechin. Unfortunately, the specifications laid down so far in the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PEA) Rules, 1955, Ministry of Health and Family Planning, Government of India have overlooked this very important aspect. This has given rise to anomalous position. Consequently the Central Committee for Food Standards (CCFS) requested ISI to under take the task of evolving rational standards for Katha. An Indian Standard specification (IS: 2962-1964*) for mulated as a result of collaborative testing over a number of years paved the foundation for testing. It is hope that specification will be adopted shortly by the CCFS for the purposes of the PFA Rules, 1955.
This specification has been formulated on the basis of collaborative tests carried out on a large number of samples of Katha, obtained from the cottage sector as well as large scale manufacturers, in the laboratories of Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR), Mysore; Italab Private Ltd. Mumbai; The public Analyst, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow; Central Drugs Laboratory, Kolkata; and the Indian Standards Institution. The co-operation received from them is gratefully acknowledged. The Limits for poisonous metals are the same as specified in the PFA Rules, 1955, Ministry of Health & Family Planning Government of India.
For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is compelled with, the final value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with IS: 2-1960!. The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.
COST ESTIMATION
Plant Capacity 2 MT/Day
Land & Building (10,000 sq.mt.) Rs. 2.62 Cr
Plant & Machinery Rs. 1.26 Cr
Working Capital for 3 Months Rs. 82.19 Lac
Total Capital Investment Rs. 4.87 Cr
Rate of Return 46%
Break Even Point 39%
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PROPERTIES
BIS SPECIFICATION
RAW MATERIALS
MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF KATHA & CUTCH
PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM
USES & APPLICATION
MARKET POSITION
CURRENT SCENARIO
NATURAL HABITAL & CLASSIFICATION OF ACACIA
LOCATION OF PLANT
ADDRESSES OF PLANT & MACHINERY
ADDRESSES OF RAW MATERIALS SUPPLIERS
IMPORTANT ADDRESSES
APPENDIX – A:
01. PLANT ECONOMICS
02. LAND & BUILDING
03. PLANT AND MACHINERY
04. OTHER FIXED ASSESTS
05. FIXED CAPITAL
06. RAW MATERIAL
07. SALARY AND WAGES
08. UTILITIES AND OVERHEADS
09. TOTAL WORKING CAPITAL
10. TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT
11. COST OF PRODUCTION
12. TURN OVER/ANNUM
13. BREAK EVEN POINT
14. RESOURCES FOR FINANCE
15. INSTALMENT PAYABLE IN 5 YEARS
16. DEPRECIATION CHART FOR 5 YEARS
17. PROFIT ANALYSIS FOR 5 YEARS
18. PROJECTED BALANCE SHEET FOR (5 YEARS)