IREL signs MoU with UKTMP JSC, Kazakhstan for production of titanium slag

New Delhi: IREL (India) Limited, a CPSE under the Department of Atomic Energy, the largest producer of Ilmenite in India and Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant (UKTMP JSC) Kazakhstan, one of the big producers of titanium sponge & metal have signed a memorandum of undertaking (MoU) on Thursday, for production of titanium slag in India, thereby initiating a collaborative partnership in the value chain of titanium. With this development, IREL and UKTMP JSC have agreed to work towards the creation of a joint venture for a titanium slag production plant in Odisha, India.

The MoU has been signed virtually through video conferencing by IREL's Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) Deependra Singh and UKTMP JSC's President AT Mamutova owing to the present situation, Department of Atomic Energy's Joint Secretary (I&M) AR Sule, Prabhat Kumar (Ambassador of the Republic of India in the Republic of Kazakhstan), A Erzhanov (Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructural Development of Republic of Kazakhstan), E Alimbayev (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of India), S Gehler (The Chairman of the Board of Directors of UKTMP JSC) as well as other dignitaries were connected through video conferencing on this occasion to witness the event.

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This MoU is another feather in the cap of IREL which will broaden its products and customer profile. Production of Titanium Slag will pave way for the production of Titanium Sponge which is essential to meet the strategic needs of the country in atomic energy, defence and space.

Titanium slag is one of the main feedstock types for TiO2 manufacture. Ilmenite is converted to titanium-rich materials using a high-temperature metallurgy process. Reduced ilmenite is also used in the sulphate TiO2 manufacturing process. The titanium slag project started in early 2013.

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