India’s ceramics and tiles industry faces shutdown as Middle East conflict disrupts fuel shipments
The Straits Times
The industry relies on propane and natural gas to fire its kilns. Read more at straitstimes.com.
MORBI, India – India’s 650 billion rupee (S$9.6 billion) ceramics and tiles industry risks grinding to a halt as the escalating Middle East conflict crimps fuel supplies, threatening hundreds of thousands of livelihoods, industry officials said.
Morbi, in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat in India’s west, is one of the world’s largest ceramic manufacturing hubs and the backbone of India’s tile industry.
The US and Israel’s war on Iran has disrupted fuel shipments from the Middle East, hitting an industry that relies on propane and natural gas to fire its kilns.
Many of the cluster’s roughly 800 ceramic units, which produce tiles, sanitary ware and other products, have been hit by fuel supply cuts and a pause in exports to the Middle East, the officials said.
Several using propane have already shut or are close to shutting operations due to shortages, while arranging on-site food and lodging to retain workers during the stoppage.
Some companies that depend on natural gas have begun receiving force majeure notices from suppliers, forcing them to suspend production.
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