Vishnu Chemicals Limited (VCL) and DCX Chrome SAS, France, have entered into a definitive Joint Venture Agreement to establish a greenfield manufacturing facility for high-purity chromium metal in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The proposed joint venture will be owned equally by VCL and DCX, with each company holding a 50% stake. The facility is planned with an installed capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes per annum and will manufacture high-purity chromium metal for applications across aerospace, defence, energy and other advanced industrial sectors.
The partnership brings together VCL’s experience in chromium chemicals and DCX Chrome’s expertise in high-purity aluminothermic chromium metal and specialised chromium powders. The facility will use DCX’s process technology and VCL’s established supply capabilities to create a domestic manufacturing base for a material that is currently largely dependent on imports.
The project is expected to strengthen India’s supply chain for high-performance engineering materials and support the country’s efforts to build greater domestic manufacturing capabilities in strategic sectors. Under the partnership, DCX Chrome will provide process technology and technical know-how for the production of high-purity chromium metal, with the objective of meeting stringent requirements of global aerospace and other advanced industries. VCL will supply chrome oxide green to the joint venture, providing an integrated raw material source for the proposed facility.
The project is also expected to contribute to import substitution and supply security for aerospace and defence applications. The partners plan to serve growing demand from sectors including aviation, nuclear energy, deep-water oil exploration and chemical processing.
High-purity chromium metal is used in demanding applications where resistance to heat, corrosion and extreme operating conditions is required. Aerospace applications include components such as combustion chambers, turbine disks, blades, vanes and casings. Chromium-based materials are also used in oil and gas drilling equipment, pipelines, seawater heat exchangers, nuclear power equipment and gas turbines. The Visakhapatnam facility is expected to create skilled employment opportunities in engineering, manufacturing and operations while contributing to the development of Andhra Pradesh’s industrial base.
Krishna Murthy Cherukuri, Chairman & Managing Director, Vishnu Chemicals Limited, said, “This partnership marks a significant milestone in our journey to expand our footprint in specialty chemicals and bolster India’s manufacturing capabilities in the sector. By joining forces with DCX Chrome, we are not only advancing our strategic growth but also contributing directly to India’s vision of self-reliance.”
Siddartha Cherukuri, Joint Managing Director, Vishnu Chemicals Limited, said, “We view this collaboration not merely as a joint venture, but as a long-term strategic partnership designed to drive sustained growth for both organisations for years to come. The synergy of VCL’s domestic leadership and DCX’s metallurgical expertise creates a strong platform for high-performance materials manufacturing.”
Fernando Accioly, CEO, DCX Chrome SAS, said, “We are highly pleased to partner with Vishnu Chemicals to establish this state-of-the-art facility in Vizag. This joint venture combines our world-class aluminothermic technology and over 80 years of industrial expertise with VCL’s robust operational excellence and raw material supply. By partnering with Vishnu Chemicals, we are combining complementary strengths to create a world-class manufacturing platform capable of serving the evolving needs of our customers across the globe.”
The proposed facility represents an expansion of both companies’ capabilities in high-performance materials and is expected to strengthen their presence in international markets while supporting the development of India’s domestic chromium metal supply chain.
Headquartered in Hyderabad, Vishnu Chemicals Limited is a specialty chemical manufacturer and a producer of chromium, barium and strontium chemicals. Listed on the BSE and NSE, the company operates seven manufacturing facilities and serves customers across Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa in sectors including steel, glass, pharmaceuticals, pigments and leather.
DCX Chrome is a manufacturer of high-purity aluminothermic chromium metal and specialised chromium powders. A wholly owned subsidiary of France’s Delachaux Group, DCX Chrome draws on more than 80 years of industrial manufacturing experience. The company has manufacturing operations in France and the United States and supplies aerospace, energy, superalloy and welding industries globally.
