Kerala Rubber Limited (KRL), a public-private partnership (PPP) company by the Kerala government, is set to commence its preliminary operations next month.
Company officials say a Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the initiative is being reviewed by the Rubber Board to reorient its focus towards the non-tyre manufacturing sector. An office of the KRL, which comes up on a 143-acre property on the campus of the erstwhile Hindustan Newsprints Limited at Velloor, has already started functioning here.
“The initial DPR was prepared much before identifying the project area and had its focus on the heavy-industry model, especially tyre manufacturing. A revised DPR, which will follow a micro, small and medium enterprises-based model of value addition, is slated to be finalised by the first week of May,’‘ said Sheela Thomas, Chairperson and Managing Director, KRL.
The preliminary operations will begin with the development of the project area, followed by meetings with prospective investors. The State government has already allocated ₹10 crore towards the initial operations of the company.
Value-added products
According to the official, the company intends to tap the potential for value-added products in rubber other than taking head on with the well-established tyre manufacturing industry. “There are umpteen number of other products that the company can focus on. About 60% of the rubber exports from Malaysia, a major exporter of natural rubber, comprise non-tyre products,’‘ she added.
While a few investors have already expressed interest in the project, authorities expect more enquiries once the project is set in motion. In a stakeholder meeting of the company here last month, the State government announced its plans to make the various rubber-based forums in Kerala partners of the company.
The KRL, in which the State government has 26% stake, seeks to provide all kinds of technical support to industrial units functioning here, besides promoting their products. Established with a vision to make the State a latex hub by 2030, the government also expects the company to draw investments worth ₹1,000 crore in the long run.
