A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed yesterday in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala between Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), and Government of Kerala PSEs, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML), for setting up a Titanium Project in Joint Venture in Kerala. The MOU was signed in the presence of the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Oommen Chandy and the Minister for Industries & IT, Kerala, Shri PK Kunhalikutty and Special Secretary & Financial Advisor of Ministry of Steel, Shri E.K. Bharat Bhushan, and SAIL Chairman, Shri C.S. Verma.
Through this MOU, possibilities of setting up of the Titanium Project in Joint Venture in Kerala will be explored by SAIL and KSIDC& KMML, in a phased manner. To begin with in Phase 1, setting up of a Titanium Sponge and Metal Plant based on supply of Titanium Tetrachloride by KMML will be considered. In subsequent phases, backward and forward integration will be explored for ensuring long term viability of the project.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy, said that the project would lead to overall development of the region and will also contribute to faster economic growth of Kerala. He urged the state government and SAIL officials to take steps for early commencement of project activities. He conveyed his trust & confidence in SAIL`s capacity and capabilities and lauded SAIL’s exemplary work in the state of Kerala. SAIL, Chairman Shri C.S. Verma stated that Government of Kerala and SAIL have a longstanding association. He further said that, SAIL is continuously on the lookout for new business opportunities in the areas of its competency. The signing of MOU is a step in that direction.
This will be the another major titanium project in the state of Kerala, after the Nation’s first titanium sponge plant was put up at KMML’s Chavara complex in Kerala between KMML, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory in the year 2011.