Industries Rubber - latex and Publishing

Industries in Kottayam Rubber - latex and Publishing Industries

Although it lacks heavy industrial units, a number of small and medium scale industrial units are based in Kottayam. The main industries are publishing (newspapers and books) and those based on cash crops like latex (rubber). There are 14 large and medium scale industries functioning in the district. Of these, one is in the central public sector, two each in the state public sector and co-operative sector. The only central public sector undertaking in the district is the Hindustan News Print Limited at Velloor in Vaikom taluk, which is engaged in the production of newsprint. Travancore Cements Limited at Nattakom is the major state public sector undertaking in the district which manufactures white cement. The coir industry in the district is more or less confined to Vaikom taluk. There are 27 coir co-operatives and 20,000 workers in the district. In the handloom sector, there are eight co-operative societies which provide employment to 2100 persons. In 1998, there were 151 Industrial co-operatives in the district of which 63 women, 18 SC and 4 ST. The district has a rich forest wealth with good availability of softwood and other varieties of timber. As a result, many industries like plywood, packing cases, splints and veneers, furniture etc., are thriving.
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Publishing industry

The first printing press in Kerala (C.M.S Press) was established here in 1821 by Rev.Benjamin Baily, a British missionary. Maiden printed Malayalam-English and English-Malayalam dictionaries were published from Kottayam in 1846 and 1847 respectively. The first and only cooperative society of writers, authors and publishers (SPCS), for publishing books and periodicals was set up here in 1945. Kottayam is the hometown of a vast number of books and periodicals and is the center of publishing business in the state. Popular publishing houses like DC Books, V Publishers and Vidhyamitram are also located in Kottayam. Kottayam city hosts a number of book exhibitions every year. Numerous news papers in Malayalam, the local language, including Malayala Manorama, Deepika , Mathrubhumi , Desabhimani and Mangalam, are based in Kottayam. Malayala Manorama and Deepika are among the earliest newspapers to have been established in India that are still in circulation and among the largest selling newspapers in india.
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Rubber (latex) industry

Rubber (Latex) plantation

Kerala accounts for 90% of the rubber (latex) production in India, major part being the contribution of Kottayam. The increasing output in rubber production and the advent of modern processing techniques have resulted in the establishment of rubber-based industrial units like latex and crepe rubber diversifying into items such as M.C. sheets,foot wear etc. The Rubber Board, a central government research institution, is located at Kottayam. Kottayam is a major trading centre for rubber and rubber-based products. A common facility service centre, training centre and field testing laboratory for rubber - plastic industries has set up at Changanassery and a central government production cum training centre at Ettumanoor. Rubco opened a new factory at Pampady in 2001. Other rubber based industries in the district include MRF Ltd (Vadavathoor), Midas Rubber Pvt Ltd (Ettumanoor) and Intermix factory (Neezhoor).