“Rs 5000 crore investments by Indian ceramic tile manufacturers at stake”

“The Indian ceramic tile manufacturers have invested nearly Rs 5000 crore in upgrading as well as expanding their manufacturing base in the last 5 years. Non-resolution of these critical issues would result in this investment resulting in losses as well as forcing many regional players to shut shop,” a statement released by the Indian Council of Ceramic Tiles and Sanitaryware (ICCTAS) said.
At the council’s annual general meeting held on September 14, ACCTAS, the apex council of Indian ceramic tiles and sanitaryware manufacturers decided to approach the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas as well as the Ministry of Commerce for resolution of key issues being faced by the industry.
The Indian Ceramic Tiles Sector industry is a fully energy-driven industry. Currently most of the manufacturers use alternate fuels as the primary fuel input. This is largely due to the limited or non availability of Natural Gas to these units. Since Natural Gas is drawn from the pipe line grid and its allocation & supply is restrictive, the ceramic manufacturer are forced to procure the more expensive, hazardous, carbon intensive & environmentally unfriendly alternate fuel sources. ICCTAS’ appeal to Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas would deal with inclusion of ceramic tiles sector in priority sector under natural gas utilisation policy and allocation of natural gas to ceramic manufacturing unit; and effective implementation of swapping arrangement by all concern entities for natural gas supply. In its appeal to the Ministry, ICCTAS to seek for inclusion of ceramic tiles industry under priority sector in natural gas utilisation policy.

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