Working towards innovative and cost-effective R&D solutions for becoming a global hub of centre of excellences in steel industry: Steel Minister

New Delhi: Working towards innovative and cost-effective R&D solutions for becoming a global hub of centre of excellences in steel industry: Steel Minister

Inaugurates Steel Pavilion at the India International Trade Fair

The Union Minister of Steel, Shri Chaudhary Birender Singh has said that the Steel Ministry is working towards innovative and cost-effective R&D solutions for becoming a global hub of centre of excellences in steel industry. He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the Ministry of Steel (MoS) Pavilion at the 36th edition of India International Trade Fair (IITF), here today. The Secretary, Steel, Dr. Aruna Sharma, prominent steel industry members such as ESSAR Steel, FSNL, HSCL, JPC, JSL, JSPL, JSW, KIOCL, MECON, MOIL, MSTC, NMDC, RINL, SAIL and TATA Steel were also present on the occasion.

The Steel Minister said that the entire industry will have to come up with joint strategies to take on the challenges being faced by the industry. He further said that his desire is that public, private sector and ministry will have to prepare themselves to jointly face the challenges coming from abroad. The government of India is focused on manufacturing sector and is implementing aggressive Research and Development projects in diverse realms of Iron & Steel Technology under various categories such as Plant Performance Improvement (PPI), Product Development (PD), Scientific Investigation and Development (SID), Basic Research (BR) and Technical Services (TS), he added.

While mentioning the major efforts are directed towards cost reduction and improvement in quality of Indian steel, in order to develop and deliver high quality steel products that add value to the customer‘s business, across the value chain”, Shri Birender Singh, the Union Minister for Steel, said. India is the 3rd largest manufacturer of steel in the world, and we are constantly working towards innovative and cost-effective R&D solutions, developing and commercializing improved processes and products, continually enhancing the capability with the aim of becoming a global hub of centre of excellences”, he added.

The Secretary, Steel, Dr. Aruna Sharma said that in-line with Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision and Government of India’s flagship programme - Digital India, the Indian steel industry has taken a very proactive approach and enabled seamless integration of digital technologies across processes, such as operations research, product development, robotics & mechanical engineering, mining, pelletization, raw material handling, coke oven, sinter plant, blast furnace, long product mill, continuous casting, SMS/BOF, flat product mill, supply chain management, procurement, retail and online sale of steel. The Digital Revolution holds many promises, for the steel sector in India, it has already embedded transparency, efficiency, enhanced quality of Indian steel and most importantly improved safety standards, leading to a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, she added.

The steel industry is constantly researching on new technologies to enhance the world's strongest and versatile material; currently there are over 2000 grades of steel globally of which 1500 grades are high grade steel. Iron and steel are used widely in the construction of roads, railways, energy, packaging, appliances, transport, infrastructure, buildings & large modern structures, such as stadiums and skyscrapers, bridges, and airports, are supported by a steel skeleton. Other common applications include shipbuilding, pipelines, mining, offshore construction, aerospace, white goods (e.g. washing machines), heavy equipment such as bulldozers, office furniture, steel wool, tools, and armour in the form of personal vests or vehicle armour, Cutlery, Rulers, Surgical instruments, Watches, Guns, Rail passenger vehicles, IT, Tablets, Electronics, Trash Cans etc.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.