The Kochi-based Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) was recently in the news after an Income Tax Department report alleged that its managing director made illegal payments to politicians, police officers, media houses, trade unions and others to “ensure smooth running of business”.
- Established in 1989, CMRL, mainly an export-oriented unit, commenced commercial production in 1993.
- Mineral sand mined from the southern Kerala coast, containing ilmenite, is its raw material.
- It manufactures Synthetic Rutile, which is mainly used in the production of titanium sponge.
- Another major product is ferric chloride, which is deployed for desalination of seawater for drinking water, sewage treatment, manufacturing of iron compound, for treatment of effluent from textiles, paper mills, refineries and other industrial units.
- It is also used in the pharma industry.
- Two other products are Ferrous Chloride, which is used for treatment of effluents in leather tanneries, textile mills, dying units and breweries; and Cemox, which is used in the manufacture of bricks and tiles to reduce the dependence on natural clay.
- Cemox is used as an additive in cement industries.
- Rutile is a mineral composed primarily of titanium dioxide (TiO2). It is one of the three main minerals of titanium, along with ilmenite and leucoxene.
