A partnership firm, Pondy Oxides & Chemicals, was promoted by R D Bansal, Devekar Bansal and their associates, in 1992. The firm started its activities of trading of zinc and lead sub-oxide in Jul.'93. Later on, POC foryaed into the manufacture of zinc oxide by putting up a manufacturing facility in Pondicherry. Pondy Oxides & Chemicals Ltd (POCL) was incorporated in 1995 to takeover the business of the partnership firm at a consideration of Rs.75 lacs. POCL entered capital market with a public issue of 17,05,700 equity shares of Rs 10 each for cash at par aggregating Rs 1.71 cr in Jan.'96 to expand the capacity of zinc and lead sub-oxide. The project also envisaged setting up of one litharge, red lead and zinc production plant. The company has entered in the joint venture agreement with M/s. Katril Oxides (M) Sdn Bhd. The company has exported Plant and Machinery and supplied Technical Know-how to Malaysia towards 30% share capital participation in joint venture company, Which started commercial production during January 1998. The Company's subsidiary M/s. Baschem Pharma Limited started a new unit in Maraimalai Nagar for manufacture of Liquid Stabilisers, Epoxy Oil and Metallic Octoates and started commercial production in January '99. The company is now focussing on products which are having marketable advantage and also planning to go in for expansion of products due to stiff competititon.