11-september-2024
Supply chain stability is always challenging, but one needs to expand sources, says TFAPL executive director
With an annual production capacity exceeding 10,000 tonnes (t), Team Ferro Alloys Pvt Ltd (TFAPL) is one of India’s largest producers of noble alloys, including ferro molybdenum, ferro vanadium, and ferro titanium, alongside specialised products such as low-carbon (LC) ferro chrome and medium-carbon (MC) ferro manganese through the thermite process. Established in 1996, TFAPL operates multiple manufacturing facilities and commercial offices across the country.The company’ s core philosophy revolves around continuous improvement in its quality management system, ensuring customer satisfaction by delivering ferro alloys and aluminium products that meet the highest standards in metallurgical and chemical applications.BigMint recently caught up with Udayan Gutgutia, Executive Director, TFAPL.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: What is your annual production capacity in ferro molybdenum, and expansion plan over the next 5 years?
A:My current production capacity stands at 12,000 tonnes (t) per annum, with 60% currently being utilised. Of this, around 4,000 t per annum capacity is allocated to ferro molybdenum production. The remaining capacity is dedicated to producing other ferro alloys, including ferro vanadium, ferro titanium, LC ferro chrome, and MC ferro manganese. We plan to diversify into other noble alloys in the next 5 years.
Q: How has steel industry demand, both domestic and international, influenced your production or pricing?
A:Domestic and international demand has been increasing with the need for high-strength and high-quality steels across geographies. Thus, in the last 5 years, we have almost doubled our production in FeMo from 160-170 t to 320 t/month.
Q: How are you handling the availability and pricing of molybdenite concentrate? Have you faced recent supply chain disruptions?
A:Supply chain stability is always challenging but, over time, we have increased our sources instead of depending on limited suppliers. This has enabled us to streamline both availability and supply.
Of course, pricing is very important, and because we have multiple sources, we have been able to get competitive prices due to bulk requirements.
Although geopolitical issues and shortages often cause supply chain disruptions beyond our control, through close coordination, we have been able to reduce the impact of such disruptions. However, we cannot eliminate them completely, as we are solely dependent on imports of roasted molybdenum concentrate (RMC).
Q: Do you prefer long-term supply contracts, or do you mainly operate through spot bookings?
A:With our scale of production, we can never go with any one. We have to utilise a mix of both mechanisms, depending on the volume.
IFAPA's 4th Ferro Alloys Conference beckons
Join us at IFAPA's 4th Ferro Alloys Conference on 17-19 September 2024, at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi, India.
Gain deeper insights into noble alloys and ferro alloys, including the following topics:
Be part of IFAPA's 4th Ferro Alloys Conference to stay informed, stay ahead. Explore More
With an annual production capacity exceeding 10,000 tonnes (t), Team Ferro Alloys Pvt Ltd (TFAPL) is one of India’s largest producers of noble alloys, including ferro molybdenum, ferro vanadium, and ferro titanium, alongside specialised products such as low-carbon (LC) ferro chrome and medium-carbon (MC) ferro manganese through the thermite process. Established in 1996, TFAPL operates multiple manufacturing facilities and commercial offices across the country.The company’ s core philosophy revolves around continuous improvement in its quality management system, ensuring customer satisfaction by delivering ferro alloys and aluminium products that meet the highest standards in metallurgical and chemical applications.BigMint recently caught up with Udayan Gutgutia, Executive Director, TFAPL.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: What is your annual production capacity in ferro molybdenum, and expansion plan over the next 5 years?
A:My current production capacity stands at 12,000 tonnes (t) per annum, with 60% currently being utilised. Of this, around 4,000 t per annum capacity is allocated to ferro molybdenum production. The remaining capacity is dedicated to producing other ferro alloys, including ferro vanadium, ferro titanium, LC ferro chrome, and MC ferro manganese. We plan to diversify into other noble alloys in the next 5 years.
Q: How has steel industry demand, both domestic and international, influenced your production or pricing?
A:Domestic and international demand has been increasing with the need for high-strength and high-quality steels across geographies. Thus, in the last 5 years, we have almost doubled our production in FeMo from 160-170 t to 320 t/month.
Q: How are you handling the availability and pricing of molybdenite concentrate? Have you faced recent supply chain disruptions?
A:Supply chain stability is always challenging but, over time, we have increased our sources instead of depending on limited suppliers. This has enabled us to streamline both availability and supply.
Of course, pricing is very important, and because we have multiple sources, we have been able to get competitive prices due to bulk requirements.
Although geopolitical issues and shortages often cause supply chain disruptions beyond our control, through close coordination, we have been able to reduce the impact of such disruptions. However, we cannot eliminate them completely, as we are solely dependent on imports of roasted molybdenum concentrate (RMC).
Q: Do you prefer long-term supply contracts, or do you mainly operate through spot bookings?
A:With our scale of production, we can never go with any one. We have to utilise a mix of both mechanisms, depending on the volume.
IFAPA's 4th Ferro Alloys Conference beckons
Join us at IFAPA's 4th Ferro Alloys Conference on 17-19 September 2024, at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi, India.
Gain deeper insights into noble alloys and ferro alloys, including the following topics:
- How does the global molybdenum market impact operations and pricing strategies ?
- Which countries serve as the primary sources of India’ s molybdenum oxide imports, and what challenges arise in sourcing ?
- Are geopolitical disruptions a risk to operations, given India’ s small share in the global molybdenum market ?
- How will the recent removal of import duty on molybdenum oxide and concentrates influence domestic production ?
- Has the new import duty on imported ferro molybdenum benefitted businesses, and are there potential regulatory challenges ?
Be part of IFAPA's 4th Ferro Alloys Conference to stay informed, stay ahead. Explore More