Date:04/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/04/04/stories/2005040401061300.htm

Back KMML registers record production of titanium

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram , April 3

THE State-owned Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML), a manufacturer of rutile grade titanium dioxide pigment in the country, has achieved record production of 30,662 tonnes in 2004-05.

The company also posted its highest ever sales of 32,153 tonnes during the year, according to Mr K.P. Rajendran, Managing Director.

The sales turnover was approximately Rs 290 crore, against Rs 266 crore in the previous year.

The company is expecting a profit of Rs 65 crore during the year, marking an increase of more than 32 per cent over the previous year's Rs 49 crore.

KMML's exports crossed the 12,000-tonne mark, against 7,285 tonnes in 2003-04.

Total exports to euro countries rose to 4,199 tonnes compared to 2,254 tonnes in the previous year. The average export price also increased by 6 per cent over the previous year.

The per-shift production was 60 tonnes and per-day production was 153 tonnes, the highest figures ever achieved by the company.

KMML recently paid a 20-per cent dividend to the State Government.

The company is implementing a scheme for supplying 2.50 lakh litres/day of water to the public, and work on two over-head tanks for this purpose is underway.

It is also financing a project for construction of houses for 300 families living below the poverty line.