HLL Lifecare Achieves Record Condom Production of 221.7 Crore

HLL Lifecare, a public sector unit based in Kerala, has announced its annual production of condoms has reached a remarkable 221.7 crore. This achievement reinforces HLL’s status as one of the largest condom manufacturers globally. The company’s director of marketing, N. Ajit, shared this milestone on Tuesday, highlighting the impact of HLL’s extensive manufacturing capabilities across India.

HLL operates eight factories nationwide, with five dedicated to producing contraceptive products. The facility in Peroorkada, Kerala, stands out by producing 124.6 crore condoms annually. Meanwhile, the Kanagala factory in Karnataka contributes 37 crore condoms, along with 98 lakh oral contraceptive pills and 12.5 crore non-steroidal oral contraceptive pills. The Kakkanad factory in Kerala adds 30 crore male condoms and 2.5 crore female condoms to the total production, while the Airapuram factory manufactures an additional 27.6 crore condoms each year. The Aakkulam facility also plays a role, producing 55 lakh copper-T devices and 25 lakh tubal rings.

According to data released on the last World AIDS Day, HLL has manufactured and distributed more than 5,500 crore condoms since its inception over the past six decades. Ajit noted that both Kerala and HLL have been instrumental in India’s success in population control, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to innovation in contraceptive products.

The establishment of HLL dates back to 1966, when India faced challenges related to rapid population growth. In response, the Government of India launched the National Family Welfare Programme. At that time, condoms were expensive and had to be imported. To address this issue, the government decided to produce condoms domestically, leveraging Kerala’s abundant rubber resources. As a result, HLL was founded in Thiruvananthapuram under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

HLL’s historical brand, “Nirodh,” emerged as a household name during the early days of family planning in India. Over time, additional brands were introduced, and HLL has since grown to become one of the leading manufacturers of contraceptive products worldwide.

In addition to its condom production, HLL has expanded its product range. The Manesar factory in Gurgaon, Haryana, specializes in rapid in-vitro diagnostic test kits. The Pharma Factory in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, produces various pharmaceutical products, while the Bhagwanpur Factory in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, is dedicated to manufacturing Ayurvedic and Unani medicines.

Through its diverse operations and commitment to family welfare, HLL Lifecare continues to play a critical role in both public health and the contraceptive market in India and beyond.