Utensils-The Major Non-Ferrous Industry of India

Abstract

Aluminium and brass domestic utensils are major products of the Indian non- ferrous industry amounting to 80 per cent of the total consumption of these metals in India. The utensils industry is thus a much more significant part of the non-ferrous metal industry in India than elsewhere in the world. The annual production of brass utensils is over 40,000 tons, of which only 7000 tons are produced in registered factories , the balance being manufactured by the cottage industries. Aluminium utensils, on the other hand, are mostly manufactured in factories, the annual production being estimated at over 12,000 tons . India is an exporter of aluminium wares and utensils ( 978 tons worth Rs. 61 lakhs in 1951 ) and brass wares and utensils ( worth Rs. 35 lakhs in 1951 ) mostly to the East African, Middle Eastern and South Asian countries. Production of aluminium and copper in India is not able at present to meet the demands of industry and has to be augmented by imports to the tune of Rs. 750 lakhs ( including zinc). Aluminium is the only non-ferrous metal production of which can be readily increased to any large extent in India ; this is being organized under the country's first Five Year Plan. From the point of view of national economics it is necessary that for utensils copper alloys be replaced by aluminium and its alloys in so far as this can be done without any prejudice to the indigenous manufacture of copper.This replacement could be easily effected if conservatism and antipathy of consumers against aluminium utensils could be eradicated by suitable publicity accompanied by improved design and manufacture of aluminium utensils. The need for technical control and standardization is emphasized.