Now, Tata Chemicals plans flavoured salt

Tata Chemicals is weighing the possibility of foraying into the low-volume, high-margin business of flavoured salt. Industry sources said the company would target the global markets, and produce the quality accordingly.

Although the company will produce the salt in India, it would export its flavoured salt to international destinations such as south-east Asia, the Middle-East and Europe.

Tata Chemicals chief financial officer P K Ghose said, "We are evaluating various growth options. It is too early to comment on this."

The leading manufacturer of soda ash in India, Tata Chemicals, with a 41 per cent share commands a leadership position in the edible salt market. The commodity, branded 'Tata Topp', is a success mainly in the export markets -- the Middle-East and South-East Asia.

Flavoured salt, which has an aroma, is mainly used in cooking non-vegetarian food items like fish, chicken and meat.

Internationally, various flavours such as lime, rosemary, basil, sariette, marjoram and thyme are available. The commodity is also available in certain select shops in India.

Although the market for flavoured salt is still in its infancy, it is emerging a potential market for chemical companies both in India and abroad.

The market potential for the commodity was not immediately available as it is a niche market and the Tatas are believed to be only evaluating demand for the product.

Earlier, in an analyst meet, the company had stated it was also looking at introducing crystal salt and cooking soda in the Indian markets.