Archive · 18 Sep 2026
RGUKT Students Develop China Clay Coating for Industrial Applications
Students at RGUKT in Nuzvid spent two years studying raw China clay.
They used it to create a special coating.
The coating may help in steelmaking and other metal industries.
The students have also received three patents for related research.
Their start-up, KIIMS, wants to refine the clay locally.
It also plans to make the coating in the state.
The team is studying other uses for the clay, including car parts and products used in cosmetics and medicines.
University leaders said local processing could create jobs and support regional businesses.
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering students at RGUKT, Nuzvid, developed a coating from locally sourced raw China clay after two years of research.
The coating could be used in ferroalloys, steelmaking and molten metal processing.
The student team has secured three patents in related research areas.
Student-led start-up KIIMS plans to refine China clay within the state and manufacture the coating.
Researchers are also exploring applications in automotive components, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paper and inks.
- Who
- Metallurgical and Materials Engineering students at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, guided by assistant professor A.V. Sreenu.
- What
- They developed a coating from raw China clay and are planning commercial production through the KIIMS start-up.
- When
- After two years of research; the KIIMS incubation space was also inaugurated, though no date is specified.
- Where
- Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies in Nuzvid, with planned mineral processing within the state.
- Why
- To develop industrial coatings and locally refine China clay, which is currently sent to neighbouring states for refining.
- Research duration
- Two years
- Research institution
- Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Nuzvid
- Material used
- Locally sourced raw China clay
- Patents
- Three patents secured in related research areas
- Potential industrial uses
- Ferroalloys, steelmaking and molten metal processing
- Start-up
- KIIMS, or Karthikeya Innovative Industrial Materials and Solutions
- Planned benefits
- Local refining, manufacturing, employment opportunities and increased mining revenues