New Delhi, May 2026: IREL (India) Limited has invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from domestic and international buyers for the supply of ilmenite under an Annual Quantity Agreement (AQA) for the financial year April 2026 to March 2027. The move is aimed at strengthening India’s position in the global titanium value chain and ensuring a structured supply of key industrial minerals.
Strategic Supply of Ilmenite Grades
IREL plans to offer two primary grades of ilmenite:
- ‘Q’ Grade Ilmenite from Chavara, Kerala, with a minimum titanium dioxide (TiO₂) content of 58%
- ‘OR’ Grade Ilmenite from OSCOM in Odisha, with a minimum TiO₂ content of 50.25%
Ilmenite is a critical raw material used in the production of titanium dioxide pigments, titanium slag, and synthetic rutile—key inputs for industries such as aerospace, paints, coatings, and advanced manufacturing.
Key Production Facilities
The company operates major beach sand mining and mineral separation units across India, including:
- Chavara (Kerala)
- Manavalakurichi (Tamil Nadu)
- OSCOM Chatrapur (Odisha)
These facilities produce a range of strategic minerals such as rutile, leucoxene, zircon, sillimanite, and garnet alongside ilmenite, reinforcing India’s resource base in critical minerals.
Commercial Framework of the Agreement
The proposed one-year AQA outlines clear commercial terms:
Pricing Structure:
- Export Sales: Free on Board (FOB) basis, with shipment pricing finalized 30 days prior to dispatch
- Domestic Sales: Ex-works pricing, with monthly supply based on IREL’s prevailing list prices
Performance Guarantee:
- International buyers: USD 0.50 per metric ton
- Domestic buyers: ₹46 per metric ton (based on ₹92/USD exchange rate)
- The guarantee is payable prior to contract signing and is refundable or adjustable upon completion
Payment Terms:
- 100% advance payment is required before shipment scheduling
Eligibility Criteria for Buyers
Applicants must submit detailed company credentials and statutory documentation. Domestic participants must be end users within the titanium value chain, including:
- Titanium slag producers
- Synthetic rutile manufacturers
- Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) pigment producers
Entities with ongoing legal disputes or conflicts of interest with IREL are not eligible to participate.
Strengthening India’s Mineral Supply Chain
Operating under the Department of Atomic Energy, IREL plays a critical role in India’s strategic minerals ecosystem. The EOI initiative reflects the government’s broader push to secure supply chains for critical materials essential to high-growth industries.
By adopting the Annual Quantity Agreement model, IREL aims to establish long-term supply partnerships, enhance pricing transparency, and ensure consistent availability of ilmenite for both domestic and global buyers.
Industry Impact
The move is expected to benefit downstream industries that rely on titanium-based products, particularly as global demand for high-performance materials continues to rise. It also reinforces India’s ambition to expand its footprint in the global mineral and materials market.
With structured contracts and global participation, IREL’s initiative could improve supply reliability while supporting industrial growth across multiple sectors.
Conclusion:
IREL’s EOI for ilmenite supply marks a significant step in strengthening India’s role in the global titanium supply chain. By offering standardized contracts and engaging international buyers, the company is positioning itself as a key supplier of critical minerals in an increasingly competitive global market.
