Indian Rare Earths Limited, (IREL) and Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant JSC, (UKTMP JSC), Kazakhstan, have signed an ‘Agreement to Establish Indo-Kazakh Joint Venture Company (JVC): IREUK Titanium Limited for production of Ti Slag in India.
The Agreement was signed by Dr. Deependra Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, IREL (India) Limited and Ms. Assem Mamutova, President UKTMP JSC.
The agreement was made in the august presence of Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Secretary DAE & Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) from Indian side and Mr. Iran Sharkhan, Vice Minister of Industry & Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Mr. Yermek Kosherbayev, Akim of East Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan; and, Mr. Nurlan Zhalgasbayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to India from Republic of Kazakhstan.
A Catalyst For India
The Joint Venture Company (JVC) will act as a catalyst in developing Titanium value chain within India. It will benefit low grade Ilmenite into high-grade Titanium Feedstock. It will also result in employment generation opportunities in the State of Odisha.
The offtake arrangement by UKTMP JSC shall be instrumental in bringing valuable forex for the country and aid UKTMP JSC in raw material security. Thus, JVC between IREL & UKTMP JSC shall enhance the brand equity of both the companies. It will also act as growth engine for India and Kazakhstan in the titanium value chain.
IREL generates surplus Ilmenite in the course of its operation at Odisha and has reputation for supply of quality minerals and rare earth compounds world over.
UKTMP JSC, Kazakhstan is one of the world’s largest vertically integrated titanium producers. This is from raw material extraction to high value-added products that includes titanium sponge and ingots.
The products of UKTMP JSC are certified by all world manufacturers of the aerospace industry viz. Boeing & Airbus. 100% of titanium products are exported to highly developed countries.
The joint venture company envisages to synergize the strength of the respective companies by establishing plant in titanium value chain for producing Titanium Slag by utilizing IREL’s Ilmenite from Odisha.
UKTMP JSC, in turn, shall provide the technology of producing Ti Slag and shall off take the agreed quantities for input to their Ti sponge plant.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr A.K Mohanty, Secretary, DAE lauded the efforts of IREL (India) limited and mentioned that the new joint venture Indo-Kazakh joint venture company (JVC): IREUK Titanium Limited. This agreement, being established in the platinum jubilee year of DAE, will pave the way for “Atmanirbharata (Self-Reliance)” in the field of Titanium slag production in the country.
These alloys are mainly used in aircraft, spacecraft and missiles because of their low density and ability to withstand extremes of temperature. They are also used in golf clubs, laptops, bicycles and crutches. Power plant condensers use titanium pipes because of their resistance to corrosion.
What is Titanium Slag?
Titanium slag is highly composed of titanium dioxide which is mainly used in the making of TiO2 pigment. Titanium is an element that is most commonly found with iron within a mineral oxide known as ilmenite, as well as in a less widely available ore known as rutile.
Titania Slag: The titanium dioxide contained in titania slag is used to create a pure white, highly refractive, ultraviolet light-absorbing pigment. The pigment is used in products such as foodstuff, pharmaceuticals (including toothpaste) and cosmetics, as well as in paint, plastics, textiles and inks.
In fact, Titanium dioxide slag is a byproduct of the titanium extraction process. The slag is considered a waste, but recent technological advancements have enabled extractors to use slag in various products. To get titanium dioxide, ilmenite ore is reacted with sulfuric acid or chlorine gas.
Exploring the Titanium Slag versatile uses, these extend from Oil and Gas Industry to Cutting-Edge Applications.
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