1970s

- Indian Government invites UCC to set up Sevin plant

- Plant built in Bhopal to central location and transport infrastructure

- Indian Government has 22% stake in UCIL (UCC’s India Subsidary)

- Plant initially approved for forumulation only (built in area zoned for light industrial use)

Late 1970s and early 1980s

- Competition forces “backward integration”.  MIC manufactured at Bhopal Site.

- 10 times the daily use amount of MIC stored in plant 

- Drought causes drop in market demand for Sevin – safety and maintenance lax

- 6 minor accidents involving MIC between 1981 and 1984 US 

- Plant conformed to much laxer standards than sister plant