Chemical Industry in Kerala

The chemical industry is the branch of the manufacturing sector concerned with the production of materials, chemicals and products through various chemical processes. Chemicals are a valuable part of social life, right from the diet we eat to the clothes we dress to the cars we travel all consist of chemical constituents. The chemical industry also contribute economic growth of the state. The chemical industry in Kerala has its origin in synthetic artificial fibers. The first chemical based industry was laid for synthetic fibers in 1938 at the Travancore Rayons Ltd. The Public Sector Undertakings in Chemical Industries working under Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Kerala is as follows.

■ Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML)

Originally established in 1932 as a private entity named F.X. Pereira & Sons Travancore Private Limited, the company was taken over by the State Government in 1956, leading to the formation of KMML in 1972. Production of titanium dioxide pigment using chloride technology commenced at the facility as early as 1979. Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML) is one of the major profit-making PSUs (Net Profit) during the year 2024-25 in Kerala.

■ Kerala State Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Kerala State Drugs and Pharmaceuticals began operations in 1974 with the objective of manufacturing life-saving medicines required by ordinary citizens undergoing treatment in government hospitals across the state. This institution supplies medicines to the State Medical Services Corporation and operates under the motto "Cure for All."

■ Travancore Titanium Products Ltd

This company was established in 1946 to manufacture pigment-grade titanium dioxide from ilmenite, a mineral abundant in the coastal region of Kollam district. During the reign of the Kingdom of Travancore, its early operations were conducted in collaboration with British Titan Products Company under the name 'Indian Titan Products Company'. Production, which began at a rate of five tonnes per day, eventually rose to 40–45 tonnes per day. In 1960, it became a public sector undertaking of the State Government.

■ Travancore Cochin Chemicals Ltd

Travancore Cochin Chemicals commenced operations in 1950 as a partnership between FACT and Mettur Chemicals and Industrial Corporation, initially under the name Travancore Mettur Chemicals. Commercial production of caustic soda began in 1954. TCC was the first company in India to produce rayon-grade caustic soda.

■ Malabar Cements Ltd

Although Malabar Cements Limited was incorporated in 1978, production at its Walayar plant in Palakkad district commenced in 1984. The plant has an annual production capacity of 420,000 tonnes of cement.

■ Travancore Cements Ltd

Travancore Cements Limited became functional in 1946 and started producing grey cement in 1949. In 1959, the company started manufacturing white portland cement, with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tonnes.

■ Kerala State Mineral Development Corporation Limited (KEMDEL)

The Kerala State Mineral Development Corporation Limited (KEMDEL) is an active state government undertaking PSU incorporated in June 1992. The company was non-functional till 2009 due to lack of required manpower and infrastructure facilities. Then the Government had entrusted the responsibilty of company.

■ Kerala Paper Products Limited ( KPPL)

Kerala Paper Products Limited ( KPPL) is a state government undertaking PSU located at Velloor in the Kottayam District. KPPL is producing Lower GSM Newsprint Grades and various Grades of Writing & Printing Paper for the text book and notebook segments. Hindustan Newsprint Ltd is the earlier name of this company. Hindustan Newsprint Ltd was incorporated in 1983. It was renamed as Kerala Paper Products Limited (KPPL) in 2021.