India and Kazakhstan Partner to Establish Titanium Slag Plant

In December 2024, the India Times reported that Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Combine (UKTMK) signed an agreement with Indian Rare Earth Limited (IREL) to create a joint venture in India. The new facility will process ilmenite, sourced from Odisha with low titanium oxide (TiO2) content, into titanium slag, a material highly sought after in the aerospace, marine, and defence sectors.

Under the agreement, UKTMK will provide IREL with a license for its automated furnace technology and the technical design of the plant. The Kazakh company will also assist in furnace commissioning, plant operations, personnel training, and process setup. In addition to titanium slag, the plant will produce pig iron.

Separately, UKTMK plans to reclaim sludge dump No. 4 near Ust-Kamenogorsk, starting in April 2025, with completion expected in 2026. The project covers an area of 6.52 hectares.

UKTMK specializes in producing titanium sponge, titanium alloys, and ingots. In 2023, the company reported revenue of KZT81.8 billion ($172 million), up from KZT75.6 billion ($159 million) in 2022.