TTP aims to become prime titanium supplier

To meet demands of ISRO, VSSC, various global industries

July 18, 2017 06:31 pm | Updated 11:52 pm IST - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Travancore Titanium Products Ltd. (TTP), which has been gasping for survival for quite some time, is set to become a prime supplier of titanium in the national and international markets through a major expansion and value-addition plan.

Ailing for years for want of technology infusion, capacity enhancement, and political patronage, the company is now set to emerge as a metal, alloy and chemical complex catering to the demands of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), and pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and other industries in the country and outside.

An expert committee headed by Public Sector Undertakings Restructuring and Internal Audit Board chairman M.P. Sukumaran Nair and comprising the managing directors of TTP and Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML), Geology Department Director, and Industries Secretary has worked out a proposal for developing and expanding the TTP at an investment of ₹3,500 crore.

₹5,000 cr to exchequer

Mr. Nair told The Hindu that the proposed development project targeted enhancing titanium production by 2,500 tonnes.

Once the project went on stream, it was estimated to pay ₹5,000 crore as taxes to the exchequer.

“Considering the spurt in space launches and the increasing domestic and international demand, the pigment could well be marketed within the country itself. At present, the TTP and KMML are engaged only in first-level value addition of the mineral sand. The proposed project aims at scaling up value addition and effective utilisation of the rich mineral sand reserves that are unique to Kerala in the public sector itself,” he says.

The team has already initiated a feasibility and market study and is set to engage key players in different sectors to get a fair idea of the future demand.

While developing the proposal, the Industries Department has already taken steps to bring the factory out of the red through a series of steps.

Nod for treatment plant

“Disputes over the functioning of the effluent treatment plant at TTP have been resolved and the unit has secured the clearance of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) as well as the Central PCB. All outstanding dues have been cleared and the factory has recorded a nominal profit of ₹8.56 crore after a long time. Crystallization of the project would translate into a notable increase in job opportunities within the company and also allied industries,” says Mr. Nair.

The government is committed to retaining mining in the public sector and hence, the onward journey is expected to be smooth.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.