Tata   Steel pioneered the steel industry of India, way back in 1907. Today, it  is   one  of the most modern integrated steel plants in the world having up-to-date    technology  and   facilities  and  customer   friendly  business processes   and  systems. It is the only integrated steel plant in the world with   the  ISO 14001 certificate for environmental protection. A recent World  Steel  Dynamics  report  has   placed  Tata   Steel  as the third most competitive  steel company in the world. It outperforms all steel companies in India and most steel companies in the world.

Tata Steel has a Vision of becoming an EVA positive company and to continue to   improve  the  quality  of   life of its employees and the communities it serves.

Tata  Steel  has been on the lookout for growth opportunities, primarily in the  Metals and Minerals sector. As a part of this growth initiative, it is looking   at  the  possibility   of  utilising the mineral sands of India and create value through manufacture of Titanium Dioxide and, at an appropriate time,  through  Titanium  metal.   With  this objective, Tata Steel signed a Memorandum  of Understanding with the Government of Tamil Nadu on Thursday, 27 June 2002. Tata Steel will undertake a techno-economic feasibility study with the mineral sands available in Tamil Nadu and subject to technical and commercial   feasibility  plans  to  create a Titanium Dioxide manufacturing facility in stages.

The   MOU   was    signed  in  the presence  of the  Hon'ble Chief   Minister of   Tamil   Nadu  Ms Jayalalitha by Mr. B. Muthuraman, Managing Director of Tata   Steel  and Mr. Arun Ramanathan, IAS, Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Industries Department.