RHI Magnesita India Accelerates Sustainability Drive with Greenfield Recycling Unit in Odisha.

RHI Magnesita India Limited, a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems, and solutions, has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a Joint Venture (JV) agreement with Khemka Refractories Private Limited to establish a state-of-the-art greenfield refractory recycling facility in Odisha.

The strategic partnership aims to accelerate circular economy initiatives in India’s refractory industry by developing a dedicated recycling platform that will support sustainable raw material management and strengthen supply chain resilience.

Under the proposed JV structure, the new entity will initially be incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of RHI Magnesita India with an initial subscription of 10,000 equity shares. Subsequently, the company will issue shares to achieve the agreed ownership structure, with RHI Magnesita India holding a 51% stake and Khemka Refractories owning the remaining 49%.

The Odisha facility will combine RHI Magnesita’s global expertise in refractory recycling technology with Khemka Refractories’ regional operational capabilities, secondary raw material processing expertise, and established supplier network. The project is expected to enable the recycling of spent refractories back into the manufacturing cycle, reducing dependence on primary raw materials and supporting sustainability goals of industrial customers.

Commenting on the development, Parmod Sagar, Chairman, Managing Director & CEO, RHI Magnesita India Ltd., said, “India is one of the world’s fastest-growing industrial markets, and as the market leader in refractories, RHI Magnesita is committed to deepening its technological investment in the country. Through this greenfield joint venture, we are laying the foundation for a circular economy platform with globally leading processing technology and best-in-class infrastructure.”

He added that the initiative will help advance circularity, reduce waste, and create long-term supply security while delivering value to customers and stakeholders through sustainable resource management.

Alok Khemka, Director, Khemka Refractories Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are delighted to partner with RHI Magnesita in this pioneering initiative for the Indian refractory market. With our operational capabilities, strategic location in Odisha, and established supplier network, we aim to develop a robust recycling platform focused on scaling operations, improving process capabilities, and ensuring consistent quality of secondary raw materials.”

The joint venture is expected to strengthen India’s industrial supply chain by creating a reliable source of recycled refractory materials while supporting the transition towards a circular economy. The partnership is an independent, arm’s-length commercial agreement and is not classified as a related party transaction for RHI Magnesita India.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026.