From 1968 to Today: The Journey of Kolhapur Oxygen & Acetylene Pvt. Ltd.
Every great industrial gas company has a story rooted in vision, perseverance, and adaptation. The seed that germinated into a towering and bountiful tree for Kolhapur Oxygen & Acetylene Pvt. Ltd. (KOAPL) was planted in 1968. Our nascent company established its first plant at Kolhapur, Maharashtra, with a modest and humble production capacity of 28 m³/hr. What started as a single facility has, over nearly six decades, proliferated into one of the trusted industrial gas manufacturers serving South Maharashtra and North Karnataka.
The early years for us were about laying a strong foundation. With ardent and consistent efforts, by 1985, we expanded plant capacity to 40 m³/hr to meet rising market demand, a clear sign that the region’s industries were growing, and so was the need for reliable gas supply. By 1996, our company had planned and commissioned a new advanced plant with a capacity of 100 m³/hr, a significant leap that positioned us as a serious player among industrial gas suppliers in the region.
A defining moment came in 1998, when we began manufacturing medical oxygen. Becoming the first company in South Maharashtra to do so. This step wasn’t just a business expansion; it placed KOAPL at the intersection of industry and healthcare, a responsibility the company has carried forward ever since. Medical oxygen is an essential, life-supporting gas used across hospitals and healthcare facilities, from surgeries and emergency care to ongoing support for patients with respiratory conditions.
The 2000s brought further diversification. In 2001, we established sister concern, Deccan Alloy Metal Industries Pvt. Ltd., in Karad, strengthening our presence and ability to service the Karad and Satara markets. By 2005, our company had undertaken backward integration and supported the government’s clean energy initiatives by commissioning a windmill project at Patan, a move that reflected our awareness of sustainability long before it became an industry buzzword.
In 2006, KOAPL expanded operations further with an ultra-modern plant of 250 m³/hr capacity, built to cater to the increasing requirements of both industrial and medical sectors. This kind of scaling didn’t happen by chance, it was a direct response to the growing trust customers placed in KOAPL’s industrial gas distribution capabilities across the region.
Perhaps the most significant infrastructure milestone came in 2013, when we commissioned a state-of-the-art liquid oxygen–nitrogen plant with a capacity of 45 TPD , the first of its kind in South Maharashtra and North Karnataka. This achievement underscored KOAPL’s commitment to staying ahead of industry needs and offering comprehensive industrial gas solutions to a wide customer base.
The journey hasn’t stopped there. In 2026, we commenced the manufacturing of Acetylene Gas, followed by the commencement of CO₂ Gas manufacturing, both important additions that broaden the range of gases available to customers from a single, dependable source.
Today, KOAPL operates from its head office and 45 TPD production plant in Kolhapur, supported by refilling stations and depots across Ratnagiri, Karad, Sangli, Belgaum, and Satara. Each of our locations functions as an extension of KOAPL’s commitment to being accessible wherever industries need gas supply. Our company’s industrial gas filling station network, combined with owned mobile tankers of 16 KL, 12 KL, and 7.5 KL capacities, ensures that customers across the region receive timely and dependable service.
From a single plant producing 28 m³/hr to a multi-location operation with diversified gas offerings, KOAPL’s journey reflects a simple but powerful philosophy: grow steadily, invest in infrastructure, and never lose sight of the customers who depend on you. As KOAPL looks ahead, this foundation of nearly 60 years continues to guide its commitment to powering industry and supporting life across South Maharashtra and North Karnataka.
Today we position ourselves as a company that’s renowned for reliable and consistent supply with a fleet of our own transport vehicles and decades of experience. A single-source supplier for multiple gas requirements in the domains of industrial, medical, and speciality gases. Our services are fast and equipped for urgent deliveries, with a strong cylinder distribution network. We also adhere to trusted quality and safety standards with comprehensive hydrotesting facilities for our high-pressure gas cylinders.
