In a major boost to rubber farmers in Kerala, the first phase of the Rubber Industrial Complex will start operations here in Velloor on Wednesday. The complex is part of Kerala Rubber Ltd’s (KRL) ambitious project to manufacture rubber-based value-added products.
With an investment of ₹ 390 crore and an area of 157.04 acres, the project is meant to support small and medium enterprises. Out of this area, 100 acres were allocated for setting up natural rubber industries and allied units.
According to Sheela Thomas, Chairman and CEO of KRL, the complex was developed to support the rubber industry. “Apart from providing 100 acres to various companies to start their operations, the KRL complex is being developed with public facilities designed to provide end-to-end services to industrialists,” she said.
The complex will include a research and development center to support the development of new products and technological innovation, a testing and quality control center to ensure compliance with national and global standards, and a business incubation center to support start-up entrepreneurs. The rubber products exhibition center will facilitate the exhibition of rubber products and the development of market ties.
KRL will establish a training and information center, a rubber product sterilization center, a rubber product recycling center and a tire testing and research center. In addition, the complex will be equipped with infrastructure including warehouse, central tool shop, central mixer, latex mixing and pre-vulcanization facilities, 110 kV substation, 24×7 water supply system and sewage treatment plant (CETP).
The day will see the inauguration of the administrative office and the exchange of consent letters to six selected investors with the start of the rubber industry.
Meanwhile, Kerala Paper Products Ltd (KPPL) will launch initiatives worth ₹741 crore to increase productivity and diversify products. In KPPL’s ₹741 crore development initiatives, an amount of ₹175 crore has been allocated as Government share and ₹25 crore as Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) share. Another ₹ 541 crore will be provided through a consortium of banks.
“The production line is being expanded to produce paper products. The project is producing specialty papers and high quality packaging papers. KPPL is taking a new step in view of the growing demand for paper products. The daily demand for specialty grades, quality packaging grades and writing and printing papers is high in the state,” said Prasad Balakrishnan, MD, KPPL.
“At present, all these products are sourced from other states at high cost of transportation. In this context, the expansion plan aims to fully tap the potential by creating a paper cluster. This initiative will enable the new venture KPPL to offer high quality paper products at reduced costs,” he added.
Industries Minister P. Rajeeve will inaugurate both the projects.
Published – 23 Feb 2026 19:55 IST
