A group of former employees of the erstwhile Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers (MCF) Ltd (now Paradeep Phosphates Limited) have appealed to the present management of the company to retain the earlier name, which reflects ethos of Mangaluru, where it has been functioning since 1971.

 
Talking to reporters in Mangaluru on Friday, Maxim Alfred D’Souza, a former MCF employee and member of ‘MCF Hesaru Ulisi Abhiyana Samiti’, said the company operated as a public limited entity for 15 years and turned into private company to operate for the last 35 years.

So far the company operated with the name of MCF. Many, including present and former employees, were surprised to see new board ‘Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL)’ in October this year. “We cannot do much legally with the private firm changing the name of the entity. We only request the private management to retain the old name, which reflects the ethos of the region and of Karnataka. Many have given away their land for setting up of the unit, which continues to produce fertilizers,” he said.

 
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Mr. D’Souza said that the samithi on December 11 submitted an appeal (letter) to the company urging it to retain the old name.

“...For decades, the MCFL name was more than a corporate title, it represented a legacy of local industry, community pride, and trust. It is a vital part of Mangaluru’s industrial heritage and identify..” the letter submitted to the company said.

Mohammed Ali, another member of the samiti, said the PPL was operating on 250 acres of prime land in Mangaluru. Local natural resources were being used for preparing fertilizers. “We have requested the firm to retain the name of MCF,” Mr. Ali said.

Published - December 12, 2025 07:51 pm IST