KMML has taken a big leap into aerospace industry and defence application with the commissioning of 500TPY Titanium Sponge Plant. The idea of setting up a Titanium Sponge Plant took shape in this context so that the country’s strategic programs in Defence and Aerospace are not affected for want of Titanium sponge. Former President of India His Excellency Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam highlighted the importance of setting up of Titanium Sponge Plant at Chavara during his speech at Kerala Legislative Assembly. The Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL under DRDO) developed the process of sponge production after twenty years of continuous R&D and established an experimental facility at Hyderabad. By the Commissioning of KMML TSP India has become the seventh country in the world to have the technology to make Titanium Sponge. The project is fully funded by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC under ISRO) and the sponge produced will be used for their aerospace applications.
In light of the successful commissioning of Titanium Sponge Plant, the suitability of DMRL technology for the proposed 10000 TPY Titanium Sponge Plant near KMML is under active consideration. Now KMML has signed a memorandum of understanding with Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) for a ` 5,000-crore joint venture for manufacturing titanium sponge. Our future plans consist of Mg recovery from MgCl2 (by product) intended to setup an experimental facility at KMML, funded by VSSC with technical backup from DMRL and enhancement of present capacity from 500 MT to1000MT for Defence Production requirement is under progress. Now the production of Titanium Sponge at the installed capacity is in full swing.
