The story
Vridhachalam has deposits of ball clay and fire clay, which drew potters and later ceramic units. A government ceramic institute set up in the town in the 1960s trained workers and helped small units adopt kilns and glazing. The cluster makes jars, cookware and decorative ware for South Indian markets. A common facility centre with a tunnel kiln was sanctioned to help small potters.
In numbers
The Government of India approved a Common Facility Centre for the Ceramic Cluster, Virudhachalam at a total project cost of ₹73.10 lakh, with a tunnel kiln costing ₹39.50 lakh; Tamil Nadu sanctioned ₹9,57,000 as its share (2014).
G.O. (D) No. 7, MSME Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, 20.01.2014 — CFC for Ceramic Cluster, Virudhachalam · 2014Tamil Nadu Ceramic Cluster, Vridhachalam is listed as a completed MSE-CDP common facility centre.
Completed Common Facility Centres under MSE-CDP (as on 22 Mar 2024), Office of DC-MSME · 2024
Ways in for a newcomer
- Microwave-safe and oven-safe stoneware for urban kitchens
- Clay and glaze supply to potters
- Online sales of handmade ceramic décor
- Kiln-firing job-work for small potters
Problems the cluster faces
- Competition from cheap imported ceramics
- Fuel and power costs for kilns
- Limited design and branding
- Clay-mining restrictions
Businesses to start here
Ceramic Tableware (Stoneware and Earthenware) →Ceramic Art Ware →Ceramic Water Filter Candles →Terracotta Décor & Utility Ware →