Russia's EZTM to Supply Cold Rolling Mills for India's Nuclear Fuel Complex

Russia's EZTM to ship specialized cold rolling mills to India's Nuclear Fuel Complex, enhancing cooperation in the nuclear energy sector. India aims to expand its nuclear power capacity with Russian assistance to achieve zero carbon emission goals.

Russia and India are strengthening their cooperation in the energy sector, with a focus on nuclear power. This week, a significant development took place when Russian equipment manufacturer EZTM announced it would ship specialized cold rolling mills to India's Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC). The NFC operates under India's Department of Atomic Energy.

EZTM revealed that under a contract with the NFC, the company has produced three cold rolling mills. These mills are designed to manufacture pipes with an outer diameter of 6-18 mm from hollow blanks made of zircaloy and stainless steel. In February, India's public sector company conducted a pre-shipment inspection of the mills, where EZTM demonstrated the operational features, including lubricants, hydraulics, control, automation systems, and the communication center.

Following the inspection, NFC issued a permit for the shipment of the mills to its site. Cold rolling is a process used to alter the original form of metal, primarily to transform aluminum into hardened stainless steel, which is extensively used in nuclear energy production.

This collaboration is part of the broader efforts by India and Russia to expand their civilian nuclear cooperation. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently confirmed that India is looking to set up more nuclear power plants with Russian assistance. He mentioned the progress at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, a project developed in collaboration with Russia, and stated that India is exploring additional sites for Russian reactors.

India aims to enhance its nuclear energy capacity as part of its strategy to achieve zero carbon emissions. The Kudankulam plant, located in Tamil Nadu, is India's largest nuclear power station, and its development has been a cornerstone of Indo-Russian nuclear collaboration. The plant's expansion includes plans for additional reactors, with ongoing discussions about further cooperation in this sector.

This latest development marks another step in the deepening partnership between India and Russia in the field of nuclear energy, reflecting their commitment to advancing sustainable and clean energy solutions.