Kobe Steel Ltd announced that its joint venture with India’s Larsen & Toubro Limited has begun production of rubber processing machinery in India.

Called L&T Kobelco Machinery Private Limited, the joint venture manufactures rubber mixers and twin screw rollerhead extruders used in making tires.

L&T Kobelco will hold an opening ceremony at 11 AM today at its plant in Kanchipuram, southwest of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu. Attending the ceremony from Kobe Steel is Executive Vice President Mr Kazuo Shigekawa, head of the company’s Machinery Business. Approximately 130 people are anticipated to attend the opening event.

Established in November 2010, L&T Kobelco is capitalized at INR 500 million. L&T Kobelco is 51% owned by Larsen & Toubro and 49% by Kobe Steel. The company, headquartered in Mumbai, has 54 employees.