Kolkata, Feb 10 (IANS): Direct-selling FMCG-company Amway India said its upcoming plant in Tamil Nadu will become operational by the end of 2015, a company official said Tuesday.

The company also said that plans were afoot to turn the Rs.550 crore unit into a manufacturing centre catering to international markets.

Unveiling its latest protein product here, chief marketing officer Sundip Shah also said that the company was hoping to double its sales of the protein segment from the current Rs.300 crore by the next five years.

"The Madurai plant with an investment of Rs.550 crore is moving rapidly and we are expecting to start operations in the later part of the year," Shah told mediapersons here.

"We will start with servicing India first and gradually turn it into a regional hub for manufacturing for regions beyond India especially the South East Asia," he said.

Observing that the protein deficiency in average Indian meals ranged from 15-40 percent, Shah said the market for protein supplements in India was growing.

"We are hoping to double our sales of protein by 2020," he said adding that the segment generated Rs.300 crore as revenue in 2013-14.

He also said that the company, along with other stakeholders, was in talks with the central government for legislating a law to govern direct-selling in the country.

"We are working very closely with the government to define a legislation to govern direct-selling. The ministry of consumer affairs has formed a committee to deliberate on the issue with the stake holders," said Shah.

"We are working with the government on the issue and hope to get the legislation as soon as possible. But the process is a complex one and may take time," he added.