First phase of Rubber Industrial Complex all set to commence operation

In a major boost to the rubber growers in Kerala, the first phase of Rubber Industrial Complex will commence operations at Velloor here on Wednesday. The complex is part of the ambitious Kerala Rubber Ltd (KRL) project to produce rubber-based value-added products.

The project, with an investment of ₹390 crore and spanning 157.04 acres, is designed to support small and medium enterprises. Of this area, 100 acres have been allocated for the establishment of natural rubber-based industries and allied units.

According to Sheela Thomas, chairperson and managing director of KRL, the complex has been developed to promote the rubber-based industries. “In addition to providing 100 acres to various companies to start their operations, the KRL complex is being developed with public facilities designed to provide comprehensive services to the industrialists,” she said.

The complex will feature a research & development centre to foster new product development and technological innovation, a testing and quality control centre to ensure compliance with national and global standards, and a business incubation centre to support emerging entrepreneurs. The Rubber Products Exhibition Centre will facilitate the display of rubber products and the development of market linkages.

The KRL will establish a training & information centre, a rubber products sterilisation centre, a rubber products recycling centre and a tyre testing & research centre. Moreover, the complex will be equipped with infrastructure facilities including a warehouse, central tool room, central mixing plant, latex compounding & pre-vulcanization facilities, 110 kV substation, 24×7 water supply system and Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP).

The inauguration of the administrative office and the exchange of consent letters to six selected investors to start rubber-based industries will take place on the day.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Paper Products Ltd (KPPL) will launch initiatives worth ₹741 crore for productivity enhancement and product diversification. In the ₹741 crore, development initiatives at KPPL, an amount of ₹175 crore has been allocated as government shareholding and ₹25 crore as industrial development corporation (KSIDC) shareholding. An additional ₹541 crore will be ensured through a consortium of banks.

“The production line is being expanded by including the manufacturing of paper products. Specialty papers and high-quality packaging papers are being manufactured as part of the project. KPPL is taking a new step in view of the rising demand for paper products. The daily demand for specialty grades, quality packaging grades, and papers for writing and printing is high in the State,” said Prasad Balakrishnan, MD, KPPL.

“Currently, all these products are sourced from other states at high freight costs. In this context, the expansion plan aims to fully capitalize on the potential by forming a paper cluster. This initiative will enable KPPL’s new venture to offer high-quality paper products at a reduced cost” he added.

Industries Minister P. Rajeeve will inaugurate both projects.