TRL Krosaki Refractories Limited and Raghav Productivity Enhancers Limited have signed an agreement to establish a joint venture in Odisha for manufacturing and marketing silica ramming mass, a refractory material used mainly in induction furnaces for melting metals.
The companies signed the Joint Venture Agreement in Kolkata on Saturday. The proposed partnership will combine TRL Krosaki’s quartzite mineral resources with RPEL’s manufacturing expertise, proprietary technology, distribution capabilities and domestic and international customer network.
Silica ramming mass is an important refractory material used in industrial applications, particularly in induction furnaces. The companies said the joint venture would enable greater value addition to Odisha’s mineral resources while helping strengthen India’s position in the global silica ramming mass industry.
RPEL will contribute technical know-how, research and development capabilities, an established customer base in India and overseas markets, and its distribution network. The company is described in the announcement as the world’s largest manufacturer of silica ramming mass.
For TRL Krosaki, the venture is intended to extend its role beyond the extraction and supply of mineral resources into higher-value manufacturing. Prasant Kumar Naik, managing director of TRL Krosaki Refractories, said the agreement was an important strategic milestone for the company and aligned with its objective of maximising resource utilisation while creating new avenues for growth and shareholder value.
Naik also said the project would have a wider economic impact in Jharsuguda and adjoining areas. According to the company, the proposed manufacturing unit is expected to generate local employment, support nearby enterprises and contribute to the long-term economic development of the region.
The joint venture will be located in Odisha, where the project is expected to add to the state’s emphasis on mineral-based value-added industries. The announcement did not disclose the proposed investment, production capacity, commissioning timeline or ownership structure of the new company.
Sanjay Kabra, chairman of RPEL, said the partnership would combine high-quality mineral resources with the company’s manufacturing expertise and proprietary technology. He said the arrangement would strengthen RPEL’s ability to serve customers in Indian and international markets and create a platform for future expansion.
TRL Krosaki Refractories, formerly Tata Refractories Limited, is one of India’s largest producers and exporters of refractory products. The company reported a turnover of Rs 2,881 crore in financial year 2025-26. Its mother plant is located at Belpahar in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district, and the company has been involved in refractory manufacturing since its establishment in 1958.
The companies have not announced further details on the joint venture’s implementation schedule, plant capacity or formal ownership arrangement.
