Vesuvius, a global powerhouse in the refractory industry, has marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of its latest Mould Flux manufacturing plant in Visakhapatnam. The unveiling ceremony, graced by Vesuvius Group CEO Patrick Andre, underscores the company’s commitment to addressing the growing demand for flux, a critical component in the continuous casting process at steel plants.
In his address at the inaugural function, Patrick Andre, Chief Executive of the London-headquartered Vesuvius group, expressed his delight at the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Flux manufacturing facility. “We are thrilled to inaugurate our new Flux manufacturing facility, a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation and our dedication to meeting the needs of our customers and the market,” stated Andre. He further outlined the company’s ambitious investment plans, anticipating an outlay of close to Rs 1,000 crores over the next few years, surpassing earlier projections.
Over the past couple of years, Vesuvius has made substantial investments in India, including the expansion of existing manufacturing plants and the establishment of three new greenfield manufacturing facilities. These initiatives will collectively add a capacity of 2,50,000 tons per annum, with the flux manufacturing plant in Visakhapatnam being the first of the three new facilities expected to commence operations in 2024.
Biswadip Gupta, Chairman of Vesuvius India Limited (VIL), emphasized the strategic significance of the Indian market for the group. “India has always been a strategic market for us. Our investment in manufacturing capabilities here will not only enhance our competitive position but also contribute to the socio-economic development of the communities where we operate and the Indian economy,” remarked Gupta.
Nitin Jain, Managing Director of VIL, hailed the inauguration of the new manufacturing plant as a pivotal moment that redefines industry standards and reaffirms the company’s commitment to customer value. “With the inauguration of this cutting-edge manufacturing plant, we embark on a path that emphasizes product consistency and sustainability,” noted Jain. He highlighted investments in energy efficiency and waste management while expressing gratitude for the employees’ dedication, whom he described as the “people capital” of Vesuvius.
The inauguration of the Flux manufacturing plant in Visakhapatnam signifies a significant step forward in Vesuvius’s journey towards sustainable growth and reinforces its position as a leader in the industry.
