Ceramic manufacturers in Morbi, Gujarat, are aiming for a near-complete operational revival in May as Gujarat Gas ramps up piped natural gas (PNG) supply to the industrial cluster. The development comes after weeks of disruption triggered by rising energy costs, supply concerns, and geopolitical pressures that had forced many units to suspend operations.

Industry participants say improved gas availability and pricing visibility have encouraged producers to restart plants gradually, with most units expected to resume operations in the coming weeks.

Key Highlights

• Most Morbi ceramic units expected to restart by May 10
• Gujarat Gas assures uninterrupted PNG supply for May
• Active ceramic units projected to rise to 675–700
• Gas consumption expected to increase to 6–7 mmscmd
• Revival likely to support over 2 lakh workers

Production Recovery Gains Momentum

Industrial activity in the Morbi ceramic cluster has picked up steadily through April. Gujarat Gas said gas consumption in the cluster rose sharply from around 0.36 mmscmd at end-March to 2.70 mmscmd by April 22, indicating a rapid increase in restarted production units.

The number of active gas-consuming ceramic units has also climbed significantly, with expectations that nearly all major connected units will be operational during May.

Why Units Had Shut Earlier

Morbi’s ceramic industry faced significant stress in recent months due to:

• Sharp increase in fuel and raw material costs
• Restrictions on industrial propane usage
• Higher freight and logistics expenses
• Geopolitical disruptions affecting supply chains

These pressures led many manufacturers to voluntarily suspend operations from mid-March, impacting production and employment across the cluster.

Gujarat Gas Steps In With Supply Assurance

To support the sector’s revival, Gujarat Gas has reportedly secured diversified sourcing arrangements and assured customers of uninterrupted supply with price certainty for May.

Industry bodies say this assurance has improved confidence among manufacturers, many of whom had been waiting for stable energy pricing before restarting kilns and production lines.

Economic Importance of Morbi Cluster

Morbi is one of India’s largest ceramic manufacturing hubs and a key exporter of:

• Ceramic tiles
• Sanitaryware
• Vitrified products
• Industrial ceramics

The cluster supports a broad ecosystem of ancillary suppliers, transporters, and workers, making its recovery significant for both Gujarat’s industrial economy and export activity.

Impact on Employment and Industry

The expected revival is likely to benefit more than 2 lakh workers whose livelihoods were affected during the shutdown period. Industry experts note that a full restart could also help stabilise supply in domestic and export markets after weeks of reduced output.

Export Outlook and Market Recovery

The revival of Morbi’s ceramic units is also expected to improve India’s ceramic export momentum, as the cluster supplies products to multiple international markets across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. With production gradually normalising, exporters anticipate improved order execution and reduced delivery delays in the coming weeks.

Industry stakeholders believe that a stable gas supply environment could help manufacturers regain competitiveness in overseas markets, particularly after recent disruptions affected export schedules and pricing commitments.

What Lies Ahead

Manufacturers will continue to monitor fuel pricing, export demand, and global energy trends as operations normalise. While the near-term outlook has improved, sustained profitability will depend on whether input costs remain stable in the coming months.

Conclusion

The Morbi ceramic industry’s expected revival in May marks a major turnaround after recent disruptions, with improved PNG supply from Gujarat Gas helping restore operational confidence. If current trends continue, the cluster could return to near-full capacity within weeks.

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Last Updated on: Saturday, April 25, 2026 12:06 pm by Koushik Velpuri | Published by: Koushik Velpuri on Saturday, April 25, 2026 12:06 pm | News Categories: Business

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