The Hindu Business Line : Atlas sets up materials exposing site near Chennai

Atlas Weathering Services Group, a division of the US-based Atlas Material Testing Technology, has set up an outdoor materials exposing site at Uttiramerur, about 70 km from Chennai, primarily to serve Indian clients.

At such a site, materials ranging from plastics to metal are arranged in racks and left exposed to natural weather conditions for a few weeks to a few years. Through such exposure, products ranging from automobile parts to biodegradable bottles are tested for longevity and material wear and tear, prior to launching them in public.

“Weathering-related tests are key components in the specifications laid down by automobile companies and other industries abroad,” said Mr C.S. Ravi, General Manager, Atlas Material Testing Technology (India) Pvt Ltd.

Price, demand

The company, until recently, exported samples from India to its exposure site at Florida (due to its tropical climate) and re-imported them. Owing to price pressures and client demand, Atlas decided to set up an exposure site at Chennai.

The company has invested about $300,000 (about Rs 1.2 crore) to set up 25 racks at Uttiramerur that can totally mount about 3,000 samples. “We own about 2 acres of land and can expand capacity to mount 2-3 lakh samples in future,” Mr Ravi said.

Atlas also supplies weathering machines that can provide the same results as natural weathering but in shorter time. These machines cost Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crore, depending upon the material that needs to be tested. The company sells about 50 machines a year in India, Mr Ravi said.

Atlas caters to industries such as automobiles, paints, textiles, timber and pharmaceuticals. Its clients include Ford, Hyundai Motors, Asian Paints and Berger Paints.

More Stories on : Announcements | Automobile Components

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page