Cliapter- 4

GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS IN THE LOCATION OF CERAMIC INDUSTRY

GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS IN THE LOCATION OF CERAMIC

INDUSTRY

Several geographers and economists have carried out several studies on industrial

location in relation to the factors of production, Scale of economies both internal and external

economies, aspects of cost-benefit including social raw material market, distance, linkages,

multiplier effects, regional economy and development. 'Location' is an important concept and

approach in geographical analysis. Location is both absolute and relative and has its merits and

demerits that vary over time depending upon the regional dynamics. The relative location is very

much influenced by the external factors such as raw material, energy, transport, labour,

marketing insurance security and advertisement. However, geographers and economists have a

broad consensus on two or three broad types of industrial locations. The first one is raw material

oriented (weight loosing), the second one is market oriented (weight gaining) and the third one

perhaps in the modem context is that of foot-loose industry such as electronics and softwares

including outsourcing.

In case of raw material oriented location the production process need not always be

weight loosing. The point in view is the ceramic industry where the industrial inertia is towards

raw material locations. This is mainly because the producers do not want to incur the transport

cost on raw material and as such there is no loss or wastage of raw material in the production

system. There is an 'Economic Principle' of "weight-loss-ratio" (WLR) i.e. "if the weight of

final product is less than the weight of raw material used, the production of those items will be

very well developed at the places where raw material is available." However, in the ceramic

industry this principle is not applicable because in ceramic industry there is no difTerence

between the weight of raw material and the final product. But one thing is unique about this

industry and that is it incurs some degree of production wastage due to mechanical process of

heating and firing process storage, packing and at transpmiation stages. Thus, the broken pieces

of ceramic porcelain, crockery, tiles, etc. when gets accumulated and dumped in the open it

results in to environmental hazard.

The location of industry is basically governed by several geographical factors but with

the changing times, the technological and institutional factors have greater influence on the

33

decisions of industrial location. However, the role of environmental factors including natural

resources cannot be underestimated in detennining ihe ideal or optimum locations of economic

activity. Other factors may be considered important but geographical factors are far more

important in the establishment, development and management. of an industry. The following are

the important geographical factors that influence the location, concentration and spread of

ceramic industries:

1. Raw material

2. Energy

3. Land

4. Water

5. Local entrepreneurship and

6. Industrial inertia

Raw Material:

Natural resources play an important role in industrial development. Large number of

industries are set up by harnessing the natural resources of a region. The ceramic industry uses

variety of clays which are abundantly available in the lower basins of major river valleys

including (West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu). In the valley beds depressions or deltas

of the past geological times (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kamataka, Uttar Pradesh). Clay has the finest

texture of the soil which is generally found in the delta region or where river flow becomes slow

or sluggish (left bank tlibutaries of Ganga in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar). Among the variety of

raw materials required for ceramic industry, china clay, ball clay, feldspar and quartz are the

basic one. The additional raw materials required for the formation of glazes are calcium

carbonate (for whitening) zircon opacifier, barium, Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate and

coloming oxide such as iron oxide, Manganeze oxide, cobalt oxide, etc. The other auxiliary raw

materials used in this industry are fire clay for saggar making and gypsum or plaster of paris for

mould making. Gujarat has large deposits of porcelain china clay. Fine and ordinary clay,

limestone, feldspar, flint dolomite, fire clay, quartz caoline, etc. The required grade of feldspar

and quartz are procured from Rajasthan. The availability of raw matetials like Silica Sand, fire

clay, china clay and others in Kachchh, Saurashtra (Surendranagar and Rajkot) and North

Gujarat (Sabarkantha) has led to the development of ceramic industry.

34

Ceramic Minerals in Gujarat:

The following Table 4.1 provides the production and value of some of the important

ceramic minerals in Gujarat State.

Table 4.1 Production and Value of Major Ceramic Minerals of Gujarat

(2001-04)

Ceramic Minerals 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 Production Value Production Value Production Value

(Metric (in (Metric (in (Metric (in Tonnes) Rs.'OOO) Tonnes) Rs.'OOO) Tonnes) Rs.'OOO)

1. China clay: Crude 70,750 7,495 129,084 22,080 143,999 34,503 Refined 15,001 10,440 36,179 31,864 9,686 6,532

2. Flourspar (Crude) 45,422 15,898 53,459 16,038 20,089 6,027 3. Fireclay 75,689 3,853 90,395 4,650 105,714 5,489 I

4. Gypsum 319 47 20 3 190 29 5. Silica/ Glass sand 576,517 66,943 801,910 83,521 820,652 87,843 6. Soap Stone 408 43 443 47 103 11 7. Clay (others) 8,120,643 118,570 4,873,392 181,998 4,955,819 370,367 8. Ball clay 11 '148 645 51,069 8,567 73,930 12,157 9. Pipe clay 1,460 164 872 96 - -10. Moulding sand 7,569 354 2,815 12 4,661 219 11. Lignite 6,166,527 3,489,319 7,036,013 4,264,354 6,704,408 3,632,500 Source: Commissioner of Geolo_gy & Mining, Gandhinag_ar (2004)

Gujarat produces variety of clay in large quantities followed by silica and glass sand and

crude china clay (Table 4.1 ). Some of the minerals are not used in large quantity such as

Gypsum, soap, stone, moulding sand and pipe clay. Legnite as a fuel is uded in ceramic

industries which is available from Kutchch district and produced in large quantity. (Table 4.1 ).

Table 4.2

Value (in Rs.) of Ceramic Minerals per Metric tonne (2001-04)

Ceramic Minerals 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 (Value in Rs. Per metric tonne)

1. China Clay: Crude: 105.94 171.05 239.61 Refined 695.95 880.73 674.38

2. Flourspar- Crude 350.01 300.01 300.01 3. Fire clay 50.91 51.44 51.92 4. Gypsum 147.34 150.00 152.63 5. Silica I Glass sand 116.12 104.15 107.04 6. Soap stone 105.39 106.09 106.80 7. Clay (others) 14.60 37.35 74.73 8. Ball Clay 57.86 167.75 164.43 9. Pipe Clay 112.33 110.09 -10. Moulding clay 46.77 50.44 46.99 11. Lignite 565.85 606.08 541.81 Source: Commissioner of Geology & Mining, Gandhinagar (2004)

35

I

Among the ceramic minerals refined china clay is more valued followed by crude

flourspar and crude china clay (Table 4.2). Ball clay and Gypsum are moderately high valued

and silica I glass sand and soap stone are moderately low priced. It is quite evident from the

Table 4.2 that lignite as fuel or energy is quite expensive (Rs.5421- per metric tonne). Except

ball clay, crude china clay and other variety of clays the value of the above mentioned (Table

4.2) ceramic minerals, per metric tonne remained more or less same during 2001-04.

Main Areas of Ceramic Minerals:

The Commissionerate of Geology and Mining of Government of Gujarat provides the

information on the main areas having proven reserves of ceramic minerals.

Ceramic Minerals

1. China Clay 2. Flourite 3. Fire clay 4. Lignite 5. Gypsum 6. Wollestonite 7. Dolomite 8. Quartz

Table 4.3

Ceramic Mineral Reserves (2004)

Reserve Quantity Main Areas I Districts (in Million Tonnes)

162.83 - Kutchchh, Mehsana, Sabarkantha 11.6 - Vadodara

10.15 - Surendranagar, Sabarkantha, Rajkot 2165.35 - Bharuch, Kutchchh, Bhavnagar, Surat 3376.00 - Kutchchh, Jamnagar 2141.00 - Banaskantha 720.55 - Bhavnagar, Vadodara

11474.00 - Panchmahals, Vadodara Source: Commissioner, Geology & Mining, Gandhinagar, 2004.

As mentioned earlier (Chapter III), the districts having variety of ceramic units especially

sanitarywares and ceramic tiles have the reserves of ceramic minerals i.e. Surendranagar, Rajkot,

Sabarkantha, Vadodara and Mehsana. By and large, these mineral reserves are located at the

peripheral areas of Kutchch, Saurashtra and Gujarat plains. Geo-historically Saurashtra and

Kutchch were islands and at present the ceramic minerals are found around the Gulf of Kutchch

and Gulf of Cambay.

Fire Clay:

Fire clay is one of the basic raw material of ceramic industry. It is found at Thangadh,

Muli, Songadh, Saratanpur and Sadla of Surendranagar district, Makansar, Vinaygudh of Rajkot

district and Aklera, Arsodia, Ransipur of Sabarkantha district. Taking advantage of the

availability of raw materials, the ceramic industries have developed at Thangadh and Morbi of

Saurashtra and Ilol and Pedhamali of Sabarkantha dishict.

36

China Clay:

Like fire clay, China clay is also one of the most important raw materials used in ceramic

industry. China clay deposits are available in Kutchch, Banaskantha, Mehsana and Sarbarkantha

districts. Large quantities of clay suitable for potteries occur in Sayla, Rajpur, Thalavadi,

Kankavati, Bavli, Khodu, Dholi and also at Amarpur and Bagogela (3 Kms. from Thangadh). It

is also found at Vijapur, Davad, Kadoli, Kot, Ransipur of Mehsana and Idar of Sabarkantha.

Some reserves are also found at Bhachau, Anjar (Kutchchh), Kalol (Panchmahals) and Mandvi

(Surat district). Feldspar (good quality china clay) is available in some parts ofPanchmahals and

Vadodara districts.

Feldspar:

The availability and production of feldspar is relatively less in Gujarat. However, the

feldspar reserves are found in Palanpur (Banaskantha), Chota Udypur (Vadodara), Jambugam

(Bharuch), Idar, Modasa (Sabarkantha), Devgadhbasia, Kalol (Panchmahal) and Balasinor

(Kheda district).

Dolomite:

Dolomite is also one of the ceramic minerals found in Saurashtra, Kutchchh, North

Gujarat, Central Gujarat, and South Gujarat regions. Among the locations of Saurashtra

Nageshvar, Rangasar, Okha (Jamnagar district), Salpur Road (Bhavnagar), Moti Lakhvad,

Jasdan (Rajkot) and Jafrabad (Amreli) are important. Himlada (SK) and Danta (BK) are the

important locations of North Gujarat. Central and South Gujarat regions have the minerals at

Vanar, Jadiana, Chatvala (Chota Udepur-Vadodara) and Nandod, Jambugam and Valia

(Bharuch). Anjar Tahisil (Mathak, Vich and Sanghad) of Kutchchh district also show some

reserves of dolomite.

Quartz:

Again quartz is one of the few basic ceramic minerals and the required grade of quartz is

not available in Gujarat but is obtained from Rajasthan. However, quartz reserves are found at

Khambha (Amreli), Vavdi Gugaliyana (Surendranagar), Mandvi, Smugara and Anjar

(Kutchchh), Parbanda (Himmatnagar - SK), Balasinor (Kheda), Devgadhbaria, Godhra,

Jambughoda, Limkheda, Lunavada and Santrampur (Panchmahal district).

37

-------------------------

Bauxite:

This mineral is a raw material for roofing tile units. Its reserves are found at Azadtapu

(Azad island), Mamba, Mevasa, Kalyanpura, Talgajrda (Bhavnagar), Lalatalav, fulra, Panandhro

(Kutchchh), Khanpur-Kapadvanj (Kheda), and Amblipara (Sabarkantha).

Bentomite:

The reserves of Bentomite are found in Kutchchh dishict (Anjar-Mandvi, Mundra,

Bhachau, Bhuj, Nakhatrana, Lakhpat, Saran, Kharod, Thoradi), Bhavnagar district (Ghogha,

Butthel and Otha-Mahuva Mathavav-Talaja), and Jamnagar district (Asatamota, Kalyanpur,

Khambhalia, Hadmatia, Chhapari, Kadiyal). The scattered reserves are also found at Rajula of

Amreli, Santalpur of Banaskantha, Tajpur, Derol, Morvad of Sabarkantha, Gandevi of Valsad,

Kapadvanj ofKheda, Sukhpar, .Tiva ofSurendranagar, Vijapur, Pedhamali ofMehsana districts.

Fluorite:

It is available at Dungargauv, Nani Tintol, Chota Udepur ofVadadora dishict.

Graphite:

This raw material is available from Sevania Devgadhbaria ofPanchmahal district.

38

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GUJARAT

LOCATION OF MINERt,LS USED IN CERAMIC INDUSTRY

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LOCATION OF MINERALS USED IN CERAMIC INDU5TRY

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Raw materials consumed by the Ceramic Industries and their Value:

The value (in Rs.) of raw materials consumed by the ceramic industries in Gujarat

influences the locational inertia. Although the data referred are of early and mid-90s, it provides

necessary information regarding the proportion of basic raw materials consumed in various

ceramic industries by value (in Rs.). Two time periods are taken for standardization and

generalization. {Table 4.4).

Materials Consumed

I. Basic materials & Components (Fire clay, Common clay, Bamtite, China clay, Red clay, Felspar, Ball clay, Gypsum, Alumina

2. Chemical & Auxiliary materials

3. Packing material

4. Consumable stores

Table 4.4

Raw-Materials used in Ceramic Industries in Gujarat (1989-90 & 1994-95)

Refractory & Wall Tiles & Tableware & Sink & Bath Tiles Mosoic Tiles Kitchenware

1989- 1994- 1989- 1994- 1989 1994- 1989 1994 90 95 90 95 -90 95 -90 -95

91.34 87.88 61.65 60.67 6.46 65.28 38.18 57.20

0.46 1.33 12.91 16.38 28.08 23.04 39.65 22.55

0.66 2.75 9.43 12.88 12.98 7.99 11.14 8.82

7.54 8.05 16.01 10.08 22.48 3.68 11.02 11.44

Source: CSO Calcutta, ASI, 1989-90 & 1994-95.

Insulator

1989- 1994-90 95

64.03 72.18

8.17 1.24

9.47 7.73

18.33 18.85

The year 1994-95 shows that the above mentioned ceramic industries consumed the

basic raw materials to the extent of 57 percent to 88 percent in value out of the total consumed

raw material value. The comparable figures for 1989-90 are 36 percent to 91 percent (Table 4.4).

Thus, one may infer that the ceramic units tend to get located closer to raw material in order to

minimize or negate the transpmi cost. The utilization of basic raw materials is relatively more

(in terms of value in Rs.) in case of Refractory and Tiles, Wall tiles and Mosaic tiles and

Insulator industries compared to the units producing kitchenware and tableware and sink and

bath items. However, in case of later one, the use of chemical and Auxiliary materials is

relatively more. The tiles units have spent more money in providing better packaging of their

42

material whereas other units the proportion has come down perhaps due to the sturdy materials,

better road condition or even better handling and transportation methods (Table 4.4).

Energy:

Ceramicwares are produced from earth minerals by the action of heat and the important

source of energy is coal and fumace oil. The industry many times is compelled to use whatever

coal is available. The use of selected grade - Bituminous coal containing high amount of

hydrocarbons proved to be most efficient and economical for raising the temperature beyond

1100° C in the ceramic kilns. However, the ceramic units in Gujarat have access to the inferior

variety of coal i.e. Lignite (Kutchchh) and abundantly available natural gas. For quality

production of ceramic whiteware, muffle kilns are recommended wherein the energy efficient

natural gas is used for direct firing. Gujarat with its rich reserves of natural gas may think of

modemization of units by supplying natural gas. This source of energy has several advantages

over the traditional or earlier source of fuel (oil, coal, wood). They are (1) Direct firing is

feasible, (2) A clean and pollution free fuel and environment, (3) Reliable and continuous

supply, ( 4) No storage required, ( 5) No loading, unloading cost involved, ( 6) No wastage due to

spillage. Only one time investment in laying gas pipeline is needed.

Land:

One of the most important factors is the price of the land. The land prices depend upon

several factors. Among them are the nature and quality of terrain, climatic condition, soil

vegetation and land productivity proximity to urban centre and other infrastructural facilities.

Ceramic units require more space for unloading, storing ceramic minerals, processing stages

tunnel firing and machineries and also storing and packing finished goods. The ceramic region is

closer to Rann and Little Rann of Kutchchh, and being dry and drought prone the land for

developing industrial units is available at a cheaper rate which also contributes to the locational

inertia.

Water:

Although water is used in the ceramic industry right from the raw material stage to the

production stage, the quantity used per unit is relatively low. The requirement of adequate water

is in the initial manufacturing process of ceramic wares namely mixing, plugging, shaping and

moulding stages. In the subsequent stages the product undergoes the stages of drying, glazing

and firing and cooling processes which do not require water.

43

Local Enterpreneurs:

There is no dearth of entrepreneurs who can take initiative and risks in the field of

finance, industry, trade and commerce in Gujarat. During the pre-independence period, Gujarat

had numerous small princely states in Saurashtra, Kutchchh and Gujarat region. The farsighted

rulers patronized, encouraged and financed the industrious entrepreneurs to establish and

produce quality bricks, tiles, artware ceramic wares and sanitarywares. Parushuram Ganpule is

the pioneer in establishing bricks, tiles (Vadodara) and Pottery works (Morbi) in Gujarat with

royal patronage. Thus, began the saga of the growth of ceramic industry in Gujarat (since 1904).

Today, the local entrepreneurs have made their mark in the production of quality ceramic tiles

but also in sanitarywares both at the national and international levels.

Industrial Inertia:

Here the industrial inertia refers to both geographical and economic advantages. It is

generally observed that the specialized small scale industries tend to agglomerate for economic

survival and progress. But the most important reason for spatial cluster of units is the availability

of raw materials within a range of 22 Kms. The historical migin and royal patronage also

contribute to the development of ceramic clusters in Gujarat namely - Morbi-Wankaner,

Thangadh-Wadhwan, Ahmedabad-Kadi and Himmatnagar.

Regional Distribution of ceramic units in Gujarat:

For the purpose of understanding the regional distribution of ceramic units in Gujarat,

the state is divided into 4 regions - they are (1) Saurashtra region, (2) North Gujarat region, (3)

Central Gujarat region and ( 4) South Gujarat region.

(1) Saurashtra Region:

Out of 7 districts of Saurashtra regiOn, 5 districts - namely Rajkot, Surendranagar,

Bhavnagar, Amreli and Jamnagar- have the development of ceramic indushies. However,

only two districts and that too one centre each in the district is the most significant in the

concentration of industries (Morbi in Rajkot and Thangadh in Surendranagar district). Rajkot

district is the leading producer of ceramic goods in Saurashtra region as well as in the state

(Rs.598.6 million in 2001 - mainly roofing and ceramic tiles) followed by Surendranagar

district (Rs.321.73 million- mainly sanitarywares). The remaining 3 districts of Saurashtra

are less significant.

44

(2) North Gujarat Region:

There are 3 districts of North Gujarat namely Sabarkantha, Mehsana and Gandhinagar that

produce ceramic goods. Again within these districts, Kadi of Mehsana and Himmatnagar of

Sabarkantha are more significant. The ceramic industries have developed at Kadi on account

of proximity to oil and natural gas, raw materials as well as large market (Ahmedabad). The

industries of Kadi produced products worth Rs. 70.5 million whereas Himmatnagar produced

goods worth Rs.37.6 million (2001).

(3) Central Gujarat Region:

Ahmedabad, Kheda, Anand and Vadodara are the important districts of Central Gujarat.

Among the districts, Ahmedabad district has greater concentration of ceramic units. About

Rs.53.4 million worth products are produced in the district of which goods worth Rs.17.6

million worth goods are produced in Daskroi tehsil (Gota). Kathala and Borsad also produce

ceramic goods (Kheda district). The development of ceramic industries in the region is

mainly due to industrialization, urbanization, and modernization.

(4) South Gujarat Region:

In South Gujarat region, Valsad and Surat districts are important in the ceramic production.

Valsad district produces goods worth Rs. 9.95 million and Surat district produces worth

Rs.2.55 million. Within Valsad district, there are 3 important locations that are known for

ceramic production. They are Valsad city (Rs.3.96 million), Dharampur (Rs.0.37 million)

and Umbargaon (Rs.2.26 million).

The districtwise production of ceramic goods (2001) is given below in Table 4.5. Out of 15

districts ofGujarat, 2 districts of Saurashtra (Rajkot 51.22, Surendranagar 27.96) account for 79

percent of the total ceramic production of Gujarat. At second level, one may identify

Ahmedabad, Mehsana and Sabarkantha districts (6.20 to 4.34 percent) and the remaining

districts form the third level with approximately 1 percent and less of the total state production.

This shows very clearly the locational inertia of the number ofunits and their contribution to the

state's production and economy.

45

Table 4.5

Districtwise Production of Ceramic Goods- 2001

Rank District Production Percent

(Value in Rs.'OOO)

1 Rajkot 59,86,61 51.22

2 Surendranagar 32,67,34 27.96

3 Ahmedabad 7,24,64 6.20

4 Mehsana 7,06,20 6.04

5 Sabarkantha 5,06,67 4.34

6 Gandhinagar 1,56,56 1.34

7 Jamnagar 1,05,35 0.90

8 Valsad 99,48 0.85

9 Kheda 72,25 0.62

10 Surat 25,54 0.22

11 Vadodara 16,30 0.14

12 Amreli 14,41 0.12

13 Panchmahals 5,54 0.05

14 Dahod 40 0.003

15 Anand 28 0.002

116,87,57 100.00

Source: Indext-B, Gandhinagar

46

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GUJARAT PRODUCTION OF CERAMIC

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Intra District Variation in ceramic units:

Although the ceramic industries are located in 15 districts out of a total 25 districts of

Gujarat, only 5 districts are significant in terms of number and production. They are Rajkot,

Surendranagar, Ahmedabad, Mehsana and Sabarkantha. However, within these districts, inter

taluka variations are more pronounced. In all there are 53 tehsils having ceramic units located in

15 districts of Gujarat. Despite maximum number of tehsils in saurashtra (17) and Central

Gujarat region (17), the number of ceramic industries are localized in two tehsils each, namely

Morbi in Rajkot, Thangadh in Surendranagar of Saurashtra region and Ahmedabad city tehsil

and Daskroi tehsil in Ahmedabad district of Central Gujarat region. These four tehsils contribute

significantly to the ceramic production of Gujarat.

In North Gujarat, 15 tehsils have the ceramic units and maximum being in Himmatnagar

tehsil of Sabarkantha district and maximum production being in Kadi tehsil of Mehsana district.

South Gujarat region has 4 tehsils with ceramic units, of which Valsad and Dharampur tehsils

are important. However, all the four tehsils show less of production. Nearly 75 percent of the

total ceramic units of Gujarat are located in Morbi and Chotila tehsils (Thangadh), an in-depth

study has been carried out through field survey for understanding geographical factors (Chapter

V).

Among the several geographical factors that play an important role in the localization of

ceramic industry, availablility of quality raw matetials, fuel and access to market appear to be

more important. However, raw materials are of different kinds. The basic clays are china clay,

ball clay, fire clay and common clay. China clays (Kaolins) are residual clays, essentially

consisting of hydrated aluminium silicates and they require proper washing (beneficiation).

Generally, mine lease holders supply beneficiated china clay to the industry. The material should

be preferably finer than 44 microns.

Ball clays are commonly characterized by high plasticity, high dry strength, light fired

colour. They are highly plastic under wet condition.

Fire clays are used in the manufacture of kiln furniture. Best aluminous fire clays are free

from sand and they need blending with a plastic clay to improve the workability. Feldspar is an

alkali bearing alumina-silicate and is commonly used in sanitaryware industry and quartz is a

hard crystalline form of silica which is processed (Calcination, crushing and grinding) before its

use in sanitaryware manufacturing. The availability of aluminium powder in U.S.A. and Japan

48

has promoted aluminum based ceramic products. Likewise, ceramic products based on silicon

carbide, silicon nitride are also produced in U.S.A., Japan and in Germany. In India these

minerals are found in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Rajasthan and has led to the development of

these industries. Zirconium based ceramic products are also produced in Germany, U.K., U.S.A.,

and Japan due to its availability.

There is a significant trend in the sources of fuel used in ceramic industry. There is

increase in the use of natural gas and electricity and a decrease in the use of coal and furnace oil.

However, increase in the use of diesel as source of energy is not significant. ( 1989-90 Total fuel

used Rs.4.39 lakhs- Rs.0.92 coal, 0.66 electricity, 0.22 diesel and 0.42 gas, whereas in 1994-95,

the pattern is total Rs.6.87 lakhs- 0.79 coal, 1.96 electricity, 0.43 diesel, 2.17 gas, 0.52 furnace

oil and 0.05 petrol and aviation petrol). This shows the modernization trend not only in the use

of energy sources but also in the manufacturing processes. Gujarat has good reserves of oil and

natural gas and also number of thermal power stations. Hence, the units have conveniently

changed to these two sources of energy.

The factor of access to market- regional, national and international is equally important.

Therefore, Gujarat is situated on the North-western coast of India with the longest coastline

(1600 Kms.) among the nine coastal states. These industries are located midway between Kandla

and Mumbai Ports and are well connected by rail and roadways. Except Nepal, Indonesia and

Australia, the remaining countries (UAE, U.K., Saudi Arabia, Germany, USA, Sri Lanka, Qatar,

Italy, South Africa, Kuwait) are located on the western direction. Gujarat's location facilitates

export of ceramic products through these ports. Maharashtra and Gujarat are fourth and fifth

ranking urbanized states of India with high level of industrialization and living. This mean~

more demand for ceramic tiles, vitrified tiles, mosaic tiles, sanitary wares, artware, kitchenware,

tableware, etc. These two regional market centres, - Ahmedabad, Mumbai, are well connected

with the production centres. These two market centres in tum are well connected with all the

metropolitan cities and regional capitals of the states. Through advertisement in print media as

well as by organizing exhibitions at various levels the industry reaches out to customers.

Above all the ceramic industry of Gujarat, has the advantageous location of getting the

industrial benefits from two research and professional institutions. Central Glass & Cerarr.ic

Research Institute (CGCRI) at Naroda, Ahmedabad and National Institute of Design,

Ahmedabad, carry out basic and applied research in various aspects of ceramic products. They

also develop the best kind of quality design and colour combinations to provide modem touch.

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