GRI’s $ 100 m production plant expansion progressing well despite travel restrictions

The second phase expansion of GRI’s (Global Rubber Industries) production facility which began in January is progressing well despite the challenges posed by the current travel restrictions in Sri Lanka, the Company said yesterday.

It said the new and advanced speciality tyre manufacturing plant is being built next to GRI’s current facility with a total investment of $ 100 million.

The aim is to enhance GRI’s current production capacity to 750,000 tyres per year with a total capacity of 100 tons per day. With the ongoing expansion, the installed machine capacity has increased from 25 tons per day in January to 35 tons per day presently. The plan is to reach a production capacity of 1,000 tons of tyres per month by July. All the required machinery for this phase of plant expansion has been commissioned methodically. “The building expansion work is ongoing for the entire land. We will be doubling the extent of the production facility. The total area will be 220,000 sq. ft., which is the size of over four football fields. We hope to complete construction by October this year and by December we will have an installed capacity of 50 tons per day. GRI will further install capacity to reach 100 tons per day in 2022,” explained GRI Executive Director Ananda Caldera. 

Protecting the environment is always at the forefront for GRI, and the company focuses on reducing its carbon footprint as well as its impact on the environment. Thus, the new facility will expand GRI’s solar panel initiative and generate 2.5 MW of solar power. “We will focus on optimising energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. The building is designed in a way that during the day, the facility will be illuminated by natural light. Greening of the production facility will be done by planting over 75 trees on the premises,” explained GRI CEO Dr. Mahesha Ranasoma. 

Despite the travel restrictions imposed to curb the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, construction of the production facility continues on schedule, and progress has been satisfactory. 

GRI produces high-grade speciality tyres 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 more than 50 countries. 

In 2018, GRI opened an advanced manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka to produce radial agricultural tyres. In 2020, GRI commenced construction of a large mixing facility for tyre compounds, and in January 2021 began further expansion of its advanced speciality tyre plant. GRI ensures its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection through all its strategies and processes.