Vishnu Chemicals Ltd. (VCL) has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with France-based DCX Chrome SAS to establish a greenfield manufacturing facility for high-purity chromium metal in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The planned plant will have a capacity of 6,000 tonnes per annum (TPA).
The partnership represents an expansion of VCL into advanced specialty materials used in demanding industries, including aerospace and nuclear applications. It also aims to build domestic manufacturing capabilities for a material that India currently relies heavily on imports to source.
Aerospace-Grade Chromium Production
The joint venture will leverage DCX Chrome’s proprietary process technology to manufacture high-purity chromium metal that can meet stringent international aerospace specifications. VCL will support the operation through a consistent supply of chrome oxide green, an important raw material for the planned production process.
The combination brings together VCL’s domestic manufacturing and market capabilities with DCX Chrome’s metallurgical expertise and advanced aluminothermic technology.
Strategic Expansion into Advanced Materials
Vishnu Chemicals Chairman and Managing Director Krishna Murthy Cherukuri described the partnership as a milestone in expanding the company’s specialty chemicals portfolio and strengthening India’s manufacturing capabilities.
Joint Managing Director Siddartha Cherukuri highlighted the strategic combination of VCL’s domestic market position and DCX Chrome’s metallurgical capabilities as a platform for long-term growth.
For DCX Chrome, the joint venture provides an opportunity to expand its presence in the global high-purity chromium market. CEO Fernando Accioly said the partnership combines more than 80 years of industrial knowledge and DCX’s aluminothermic technology with VCL’s operational capabilities and access to raw materials.
Reducing Import Dependence
High-purity chromium metal is an advanced engineering material with applications in sectors where stringent material specifications are required. India currently depends almost completely on imports for these materials.
The Vizag project is therefore positioned as a step toward developing domestic supply capacity for high-purity chromium while supporting the broader objective of greater manufacturing self-reliance.
Beyond production capacity, the project is expected to create high-skilled engineering and operational employment in the Andhra Pradesh region, adding a further industrial-development dimension to the joint venture.
Market Outlook
The planned 6,000 TPA facility could strengthen India’s position in the supply chain for high-purity chromium and provide domestic access to materials required by strategically important industries. The partnership also reflects a broader push toward localized production of advanced engineering and specialty materials.