Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), the main supplier of fuel for India’s nuclear power programme will now set up an exclusive facility to produce niobium, a key material with critical applications in the space and nuclear industry.

The Rs 30-crore facility will be funded by the Indian Space Research Organisation. To be located in its campus in Hyderabad, the centre will produce three tonnes per year of niobium and supply it to ISRO, according to Mr R.N. Jayaraj, Chief Executive of NFC.

The NFC has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, part of ISRO recently. Work will begin this month and the project would be ready for commissioning in the next 12-18 months, Mr Jayaraj told Business Line .

We get Niobhat when niobium is alloyed (combined) with hafnium. This alloy can withstand very high temperatures. It is used in the nozzles of spaceships, which need to be in space for long time. Hence, the critical nature of the product, explained Mr Jayaraj.

NFC has developed the technology to make both niobium and zirconium. The alloy of niobium and zirconium is used to fabricate the coolant channels of nuclear power reactors, which carry the fuel rods, whose burn up results in the generation of power.

NFC has also forged collaboration with C-Met and Midhani in getting the final product—Niobhat ready. NFC will make niobium thermite, and C-Met, Hyderabad will produce hafnium thermite. Finally, Midhani, the Defence public sector undertaking, here will manufacture the alloy.

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