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CUMI forays into bio-ceramics

Special Correspondent

To partner Cerdak of South Africa

K. Srinivasan, President, CUMI. — Photo: Bijoy Ghosh

CHENNAI: Carborundum Universal Ltd (CUMI), a leading player in the Indian abrasives market, has signalled its foray into bio-ceramics by penning a partnership pact with Cerdak of South Africa, a pioneer in wound treatment devices.

The alliance will initially see CUMI, an outfit belonging to Murugappa group, market the products of Cerdak in India. Later on, this relationship could expand into a joint venture to make these devices in India.

Cerdak's wound treatment devices are patented across the globe and made with U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved materials. Cerdak has a range of 32 products under its portfolio.

Addressing a press conference, M. M. Murugappan, Chairman, CUMI, said his company was keen on getting the products moving in the marketplace first. Asserting that CUMI would set up a global standard facility, he, however, declined to comment on the likely investment on the proposed manufacturing joint venture. He merely said that the manufacturing would take place only after March in a phased manner.

K. Srinivasan, President, estimated the ethical wound dressing market in India to be in the vicinity of Rs. 250 crore. CUMI would aim at a `significant share,'' he added.

Mr. Srinivasan said that CUMI had gone in for a two-tier approach to market Cerdak products and focus on hospitals/institutions and retail pharma outlets. Initially, the focus would be on South, East and Mumbai, he pointed out.

Cobus Kotze, Director, Cerdak, said that the large market in India presented his company an opportunity. "We looked for a partner who appreciated the value of patent,'' he said, pointing to the tie-up with CUMI. To a question, he said, "these products need to get into the marketplace in a right way."

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