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French industrial minerals major Imerys is chalking out expansion plans for its calcium aluminates plant in Vizag, Andhra Pradesh. Last year, Imerys set up a Rs 3.50 billion calcium aluminates plant in Vizag with a capacity of 30,000 tonnes, which according to the company was the single largest site and single largest investment in the high temperature materials for the refractory, abrasive and construction business segments. The plan is to increase production to about 50,000 tonnes by 2030 in line with India’s target of achieving a 300 million tonnes crude steel capacity. Philippe Bourg, senior vice president, Imerys, said that refractory was linked to iron and steel production. “With the capacity expansion in India the potential of growth is huge for us.� Imerys� Vizag plant was commissioned last year, but was formally inaugurated today. While Imerys has been servicing the India market for the last 30 years, it wanted to ensure domestic supplies and reduce dependence on imports, hence the plant was commissioned last year. Calcium aluminate is the key binder for monolithic refractories and much of the current demand is met through imports. The Vizag plant employs 200 people, more than 90 per cent of whom are local hires. The steel industry has been facing headwinds with a significant drop in prices. However, Bourg pointed out that the industry has always been cyclical. “In the long run and specifically in India, there is an expected growth in the range of 6% every year for the next 10 years.� See also: Tata Steel to offload 19 per cent holding in AI RimalGovt to explore underground mineral deposits