Behramji Sorabji Lalkaka (1880–1957) was a pioneering Indian industrialist who contributed to India’s chemical industry. In 1915, he established the Pioneer Magnesia Works Ltd at Kharagodha in the Little Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat, marking an important step in India’s self-sufficiency in chemical production.
During World War I, imports of magnesium chloride from Germany stopped, creating a shortage in India.
Lalkaka’s initiative ensured a domestic supply, reducing dependence on foreign sources.
Magnesium chloride is widely used in the chemical industry for applications such as:
Textile processing
Paper production
Fireproofing compounds
Dust control on roads
Manufacturing of cement and fertilizers
His work played a role in developing India’s industrial base in the chemical sector.
Paved the way for future advancements in mineral extraction and chemical production.
Behramji Sorabji Lalkaka’s visionary efforts in indigenous chemical production contributed to India’s early industrial growth, particularly in the magnesium and chemical manufacturing sector. His work remains an important milestone in India’s pre-independence industrial development.
