Tata Steel Subsidiary Completes 100 Years of Successful Operation

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The Tinplate Company of India Limited (TCIL), a subsidiary of Tata Steel announced that it has completed 100 glorious years of operation.

TCIL was established in 1920 as a joint venture between Tata Steel and Burmah Oil Company Ltd. (BOCL)-a British firm.

TCIL had rolled out its first tinplate in December 1922. The production witnessed significant surge during 1950s, when electrolysis process was employed in the production of tinplates. TCIL introduced its first Electrolytic Tinning Line (ETL) in 1979. However, following the failure of its plan to source raw material domestically, it had to depend heavily on imports. The operations of the new tinning line witnessed continuous disruptions on account of several factors including high import duty and bad quality of material.

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During late 70s, the company decided to stop production of steel bars due to strategic reasons. By end-1980’s the company plunged to loss.

However, mid 80s saw revival of the company. It was during this period that TCIL decided to set up its own TMBP making facility and reinforce the flat products business by setting up a hot strip mill at Jamshedpur. In late 90s the company set up state-of-the-art CRM complex. As of today, TCIL has a capacity to produce 379,000 tonnes per annum of tinplates.

TCIL, which manufactures tinplates, enjoys a market share of approximately 45% in India. Around 18-20% of the tinplates produced by the company are exported.