In a significant development, a joint venture agreement between IREL (India) Limited and Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium & Magnesium Plant JSC (UKTMP JSC) aims to enhance the titanium value chain in India. The partnership will focus on converting low TiO2 ilmenite produced in Odisha into high-quality Titanium Slag, an intermediate product critical for industries such as aerospace, defense, and atomic energy. This titanium slag can serve as feed material for producing Titanium Sponge, which is essential for producing components used in various strategic sectors.
The titanium slag produced will be of strategic importance, and its demand largely depends on the aviation sector, which is growing in India, especially in the private sector. Currently, the production capacity for Titanium Sponge in India is limited to just 500 tpa, with an actual output of around 260 tpa. The establishment of this joint venture plant is expected to accelerate the growth of a manufacturing industry for chloride pigment, Ti Slag, and Titanium Sponge.
Under the agreement, UKTMP JSC will provide the technology and expertise required for the automated furnace that will be used to produce the titanium slag. This includes technical plant design, commissioning support, and the development of standard operating procedures. Additionally, UKTMP JSC will assist in the training of plant operators, helping to build a skilled workforce for the joint venture.
IREL, on its part, will ensure the protection of UKTMP JSC’s intellectual property rights in India related to the production of titanium slag. The production of titanium slag will not only serve the defense and aerospace sectors but also create opportunities for pig iron production, which holds commercial value.
The joint venture is expected to boost India’s titanium industry by generating direct and indirect employment, with estimates suggesting the creation of 8,000 to 10,000 jobs. It will also support the export value of titanium products, paving the way for the country to manufacture titanium pigments and sponge, which are the end products used in the aerospace and defense industries.
Titanium sponge is a crucial material used in making high-performance components for the aerospace sector, such as aircraft fuselages, engine parts, and loading gear. It is also vital for defense applications, including armor plating, missile parts, and submarine hulls. In the atomic energy sector, titanium sponge is used in nuclear reactor shields, heat exchangers, and condenser tubes.
This initiative, once fully implemented, will not only strengthen India’s capabilities in critical industries but also contribute to foreign exchange earnings and the country’s overall industrial growth.
This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on December 12, 2024.
