The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) has named S Sankarasubramanian, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Coromandel International Limited, as its chairman. The decision was taken at an FAI board meeting held on October 31, 2025.
Sankarasubramanian moves up from his earlier role as FAI co-chairman. Alongside him, Siba Prasad Mohanty, Managing Director of Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL), will serve as the sole co-chairman, having previously shared the co-chair role
Background & mandate
FAI, established in 1955, serves as the national association of fertiliser manufacturers, importers, distributors, equipment makers, research institutes and input suppliers across India.
In appointing Sankarasubramanian as chairman, FAI cited his “more than 30 years of experience in the fertiliser industry, particularly in the phosphatic & potassic (P&K) sector”. He also currently chairs FAI’s Southern Region.
Sankarasubramanian noted the association’s aims: “FAI is committed to driving innovation and sustainability through resource efficiency and balanced nutrition, while working closely with policymakers to achieve Atmanirbharta in the fertiliser sector.”
Who is S Sankarasubramanian?
He is a graduate in Mathematics from University of Madras and a member of the Institute of Cost & Works Accountants of India.
His career spans nearly three decades with the Murugappa Group (which owns Coromandel International).
He has held key finance and operations roles, became CFO of Coromandel in 2011 and later headed its fertiliser business before taking on the MD & CEO role.
His appointment signals FAI’s intent to leverage deep industry expertise, build stronger industry-policy linkages and prioritise sustainable nutrient management across India’s fertiliser ecosystem.
Former Chairman: Sailesh C. Mehta & his company
Sailesh C. Mehta served as the immediate past chairman of FAI. He is Chairman & Managing Director of Deepak Fertilisers & Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. (DFPCL).
Under Mehta’s leadership, DFPCL emerged as a major player in specialty fertilisers and chemicals. His tenure at FAI saw efforts to strengthen balanced nutrient use and align the fertiliser industry with India’s agricultural growth and sustainability goals.
Implications for the Fertiliser Industry
With Sankarasubramanian now at FAI’s helm, key focus areas are likely to include:
Accelerating innovation in fertiliser products and nutrient efficiency
Strengthening industry-policy cooperation to support India’s aim of self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in the fertiliser sector
Leveraging the P&K fertiliser experience to address India’s fertiliser make-up and import dependence
For readers of Fertilizer Field, this shift in leadership in FAI is noteworthy. It may influence:
Policy dialogues on fertiliser subsidy and nutrient management
Collaboration between manufacturers and research institutes
The trajectory of fertilizer supply-chain and raw-material sourcing
