Belgaum Material Testing Centre (BMTC) has launched the region’s first Salt Spray Testing Laboratory in Belagavi, providing local industries with advanced corrosion-testing capabilities. The facility was inaugurated on Thursday by Dilip Chitnis, Managing Director of Hyloc Hydrotechnic Pvt Ltd, in the presence of Nitin Landge, President of the Belgaum District Small Scale Industries Association (BDSSIA). This development allows manufacturers to conduct essential quality assessments locally, eliminating the need to transport samples to distant cities.
Satish Nerlekar, President of BMTC, noted that the centre has offered reliable material-testing services on a no-profit, no-loss basis for 27 years. He stated that the new laboratory addresses a long-standing requirement for foundry, engineering, and plating industries in North Karnataka. Previously, businesses in the region had to send samples to Pune, Bengaluru, or Chennai for testing, which resulted in additional costs and significant delays. The Salt Spray Test is a standardized accelerated laboratory procedure used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of materials, coatings, and surface finishes.
The establishment of the lab involved support from several organizations. The Polyhydron Foundation donated the salt spray testing machine, while infrastructure and equipment support were provided by Positron Engineering Corporation, BDSSIA, Gokul Metatech, Alankar Enterprises, and Katwe Industries. BMTC officials stated that the facility will enable timely and accurate local testing, helping industries improve product quality, reduce rejection rates, and enhance their competitiveness in both domestic and export markets. The centre has invited micro, small, medium, and large-scale industries from Belagavi and neighboring districts to utilize the facility located at its premises on Khanapur Road in Udyambag.
