The Sandvik group is setting up a cemented carbide recycling plant at Chiplun, on the Konkan coast.
PUNE, India — The Sandvik group is setting up a cemented carbide recycling plant at Chiplun, on the Konkan coast. While this is part of Sandvik's global commitment towards the environment and preservation of valuable resources, the 600 tonnes per annum plant is the group's sole plant for these materials. This is recognition of the processing capability of the Indian operations as well as its knowledge capability and cost efficiency.
The plant will recover precious metals like cobalt and tungsten, from cemented carbide inserts and other solid carbides. The 100 percent export oriented unit (EoU) is scheduled to go on steam by mid 2006. Sandvik Asia, the Pune headquartered Indian subsidiary, has a cobalt powder manufacturing plant at Chiplun.
S Basu, adviser, SAL, explained that the Sandvik group will collect used tools from its customers and ship them to India. The material thus recovered will be exported, hence its EoU status. In India, cemented carbide tool users usually sell used tools to manufacturers of braised tools hence sourcing from India is likely to be low.
Mr Basu added that they will source not only Sandvik products but also competitors products which their customers may be using since this is an environmental concern. The recycling is expected to help save up to 25 percent of virgin raw material.
India is an important metallurgical recycling centre with its ship breaking and other activities. Mr Basu said contamination will be contained at international standards and India has won the right to locate the plant here against competition from the UK and Swedish group companies.
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