The
Tata group has planned to invest around Rs.2,000 crore over a period of five
years to set up India’s first titanium dioxide plant. The mega integrated
complex is likely to be set up at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu where mineral grade
sand -- the required raw material -- is available in abundance.
The
project is expected to be a joint venture between the Tata group and two state
government agencies -- Tamil Nadu
Minerals and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation.
The
project would essentially be a mining venture where mineral grade sand would be
separated into ilmenite and rutile. These would then be processed further to
produce titanium dioxide.
Presently,
since titanium dioxide -- used primarily in the paints and pigment industry --
is not produced domestically, the entire demand is being met through imports.