GRI’s new US$ 25mn mixing plant in Mirigama on schedule

• Plant will have capacity of 200 tonnes per day upon completion
• Completion of the plant planned for mid-2022

With increasing global demand for specialty tyres, GRI continues its expansion drive by increasing its manufacturing capacity. 

The work on GRI’s latest mixing plant in Mirigama, which upon completion will have a capacity of 200 tonnes per day, is progressing well, a top company official said.

The mixing plant entails an investment of US$ 25 million by GRI. Featuring a special design, the plant is being built using steel and reaches a height of 100ft. The plant will have six mixing lines, and so far, two lines have been completed and operational. 

“We have introduced a state-of-the-art production system to this plant with high-tech machinery from Germany that will be used for mixing and milling. 

Furthermore, we are also using a fully automated powder feeding system for Carbon Black, so that no dust particles are released into the atmosphere.  It is a programmed and automated system that is fully sealed and is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka,” said Ananda Caldera, Executive Director, GRI. 

The installation of the other mixing lines is in progress with completion planned formid-2022. “As we increase our tyre manufacturing capacity, we will also be gearing up the mixing capacity for both solid and pneumatic tires,” he  elaborated. GRI always focuses on sustainability and reducing its impact on the planet. Thus, at this new mixing plant, the focus is to prevent the release of any dust particles from the production process into the atmosphere.  “We have installed the automatic weighing and feeding system so that we do not manually handle any powder material. We have provided sufficient dust retractors so that dust will not be released into the environment,” explained Caldera.  Plans are ongoing to install solar panels on the factory roof so that the facility will be powered by clean energy. Furthermore, all the machinery use motors and drives that have variable speeds so that energy is used carefully and efficiently.“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic delays experienced in the construction process, work however is progressing well amidst the challenges,” concluded Caldera. GRI produces high-grade specialty tires that are built sustainably using pure natural rubber in Sri Lanka.  Founded in 2002, the company produces material handling solid tyres, radial agriculture tyres, and construction tyres. GRI has operations in nine countries and a business presence in over 50 countries.