The cordite factory is one of the oldest of the Indian Ordnance Factories. It comes under the Ministry of Defence. The cordite factory was set up in 1903 by the British India Government. The factory manufactures Gun Powder (cordite) for various arms and ammunition produced in India. The factory also produces propellants found in the missiles.

Cordite Factory was declared open on 19-01-1904 by Mrs.Radcliffe. It is the first smokeless Propellant Factory in India. It celebrated its centenary on 19-01-2004. Cordite Factory is located at a distance of 38 km from Mettupalayam and 12 km from Ooty. Its altitude is 1890 m above MSL. Its rainfall and temperature are 120 cm (average) and Min - 1 & Max - 30.7 degree C.

Main products

The following are the main products produced.

1. Nitrocellulose

2. Nitroglycerine

3. Propellants for small arms ammunition

4. Propellants for gun and artillery ammunition (db & tb)

5. Propellants for engine starter (aircrafts)

Blast in cordite factory

At least Five people are dead and several people injured due to an acid tank explosion at the ordinance factory in Aravankadu. All the people trapped had been rescued.