Govt mulls setting up scrap-based steel plants

The government today said it is planning to set up scrap-based steel plants in north and west parts of India to augment the country's production capacity.

"We are examining the feasibility of setting up scrap-based steel plants," Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh said during Make in Steel Conference here.

Stressing that the scrap-based steel plants are environment-friendly, energy-efficient and cost effective, he said that these plants would be on the lines of 'melt and manufacture' steel technology used in the US.

"I would like you to deliberate on the cost-benefit analysis of setting up scrap-based steel plants in north and west India. These regions are important form the perspective of scrap-availability and steel import hubs. The plants will have the capability to produce special high-grade steels, a pre-requisite for 'Make in Steel'," the minister said.

India, he said, imports around six million tonnes of scrap steel every year and is the second largest importer of scrap after Turkey adding that by 2025, the country will be able to generate 7.5 million tonnes of scrap every year.

Asserting that India has retained its position as the fastest growing major steel economy in the world, the minister exuded confidence the country would continue to lead the growth trend in the world steel industry.

Stating that India's share in global steel output has increased to 5.09 percent last year from 5.5 percent in 2015, Singh said that "So far as production of steel is concerned, we are on the right path." He also stressed upon the need to create demand of steel in line with the planned increase in capacities and added that the country is aiming to increase per capita steel consumption to 160 kilogram.

"We should work towards meeting the entire domestic demand of high-grade automotive steel, electrical steel and special steels from domestic production. These products constitute a major portion of the steel imports in India," the minister said.

As far as productivity is concerned, India, he said, is lagging behind the international benchmarks of performance, and added that at country level, the public sector undertakings need to catch up with the productivity and efficiency levels achieved by the private steel firms.

"All Indian steel companies need to aim high and work towards achieving international levels," he said.