TRL Krosaki Refractories Ltd and Raghav Productivity Enhancers Ltd (RPEL) are collaborating to create a silica ramming mass manufacturing facility in Odisha, set to produce 350,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA). The project involves an initial investment of around Rs 100 crore, as announced by RPEL.
This new facility aims to leverage Odisha’s quartzite resources alongside RPEL’s advanced manufacturing technology and market access. The partnership was officially established through a Joint Venture Agreement signed in Kolkata on Saturday, according to reports from Business Standard.
The planned plant will manufacture silica ramming mass, a critical refractory material utilized extensively in industrial processes, especially in induction furnaces for metal melting. This initiative allows TRL Krosaki to advance along the value chain by transforming raw mineral resources into higher-value industrial products, leveraging its significant quartzite resources and regional expertise.
RPEL will enhance the venture by providing its patented manufacturing methods, technical know-how, and established research and development capabilities. Its distribution network spans across India and into international markets, positioning the new facility to benefit from an existing customer base.
This project aligns with RPEL’s strategy to develop a multi-location manufacturing framework. The company anticipates that the Odisha plant will bolster its presence in Eastern India, bringing production closer to major consumption areas and streamlining its supply chain.
RPEL currently boasts a total manufacturing capacity of 534,000 MTPA and operates in 26 Indian states as well as over 40 countries, providing a solid commercial foundation for the new venture.
The collaboration also enables RPEL to tap into TRL Krosaki’s mineral resource pool, while TRL Krosaki can benefit from RPEL’s advanced manufacturing techniques and customer networks, both domestic and international.
Prasant Kumar Naik, managing director of TRL Krosaki Refractories, highlighted the significance of this venture, viewing it as a strategic move that optimizes resource utilization and opens up new growth opportunities for shareholders. He noted the expected positive impact on local industrial activity in Jharsuguda and nearby regions, including job creation and support for local enterprises, contributing to long-term economic development.
Sanjay Kabra, chairman of RPEL, expressed that the partnership merges TRL Krosaki’s mineral resources with RPEL’s manufacturing prowess and proprietary technology, enhancing the ability to cater to both domestic and international customers while laying the groundwork for future growth.
Located in Odisha, this initiative further supports the state’s commitment to developing mineral-based industries that focus on value addition rather than merely extracting and supplying raw materials.
