Sundaram Clayton explores Magnesium die casting rather than aluminium at its Padi (Chennai) plant

Sundaram Clayton has initiated the pilot production of magnesium die-casting automotive products at its Padi, Chennai plant. The company is working on the concept of Magnesium being lighter than Aluminium and hence wold be beneficial in reducing the overall weight of the vehicle and thereby improving fuel efficiency.

"We are now exploring magnesium die-castings as they are lighter than aluminium. Many car manufacturers are looking to use magnesium die-casting to make light weight cars," said C N Prasad, Group President and CEO, Sundaram Clayton Limited. The facility will have an initial production capacity of 1,000 tonnes a year. The castings are expected to go fully commercial in 2013. SCL imports the magnesium from Australia and Europe.

At present Sundaram Clayton has  three plants across India in Hosur, Padi and Mahindra World City, SEZ. Another plant to be set up in Oragadam is under construction and the production is expected to start in April 2012. The total investment of this plant is INR 85 Crore. Clayton posted a turnover of INR 850 Cr in FY10-11 and the same is expected to increase to INR 1,000 Crore in FY11-12. With the addition of new plant at Oragadam, the total production capacity will increase from currently 40,000 tpa to 60,000 tpa, the new plant adding 12,000 tpa of capacity to the group capacity.

Sundaram-Clayton Limited is a preferred solution provider to major global OEMs like Cummins, Volvo, Daimler Commercial Vehicles, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Hyundai, TVS Motors, WABCO etc.

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