State-owned Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd (Midhani), a special alloys maker for the defence and strategic sectors, is gearing up to take off into the aeronautics and power sectors from next year.

The first phase of the Rs 700-crore ongoing expansion programme of the company is expected to be completed next year, paving the way for it to take up smaller supplies of special alloys for these two sectors.

“Three major equipments, including a melting furnace, will be in place by the next half of 2013. We are procuring these at a cost of Rs 200 crore,” M Narayana Rao, CMD, told Business Line here.

Special alloys

The final equipment, a Rs 500-crore plate rolling mill, will be in place in the latter half of the year. -It will be procured from either Italy or Germany. The company is receiving the Rs 500-crore funding from the Defence Ministry for the mill, as it is primarily intended for this sector.

The defence and other strategic sectors are estimated to require about 4,000 tonnes of the special alloys annually. These alloys can withstand high temperature.

Rao said the company has developed a special nickel-based super alloy for the power sector, which can be used in the boilers and turbines. “We are currently jointly trying out this material with BHEL and NTPC on a pilot basis. This material is intended for the ultra super critical power units in the near future,” he said.

After the expansion, Midhani will foray into the aeronautical sector with supplies of another special nickel and cobalt-based super alloy that can go into manufacture of engines and other aircraft parts.

“We see a huge potential in this sector from major aircraft makers globally. We have already received the required AS 9100 certification for use of our special alloy in this sector,” Rao said.

Midhani clocked a turnover of Rs 500 crore last fiscal, aiming for Rs 550-600 crore sales this fiscal. It has orders worth Rs 1,000 crore from the defence and space sector on hand.

amitmitra@thehindu.co.in

comment COMMENT NOW