“Our recyclable and low-carbon steel products contribute directly to green building credits”

India’s Steel Industry — Capacity Expansion and Current Performance

India’s finished steel consumption has shown remarkable year-on-year growth, registering increases of 13.37% in FY’23, 13.65% in FY’24, and 11.5% in FY’25. This robust growth trajectory has been driven by the government’s focus on infrastructure development, alongside expansion in real estate, automobiles, capital goods, and defence sectors. Looking ahead, India’s steel demand is projected to reach 230 MT by 2030-31. Achieving this goal will require a CAGR of 7.5% from a base of 152 MT in FY’25. Furthermore, forecasts suggest that steel demand could soar past 450 MT by 2047. In response to this burgeoning demand, domestic steel producers have unveiled ambitious plans to enhance their production capacity, targeting 300 MT by 2030-31 and over 500 MT by 2047.

The December edition of Iron & Steel Review features a detailed article by N. M. Rao, Consultant (I&S), Visakhapatnam, examining the capacity expansion initiatives and evaluating the current state of the industry.

Tata Steel and constructsteel Unveil Steel-Based Zero Energy Building in Odisha

Tata Steel, in partnership with constructsteel, the steel construction market development programme of the World Steel Association, has inaugurated a pioneering steel-based Zero Energy Building (ZEB) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, constructed using advanced Light-Gauge Steel Frame (LGSF) technology.

The 1,836 sq. ft. facility was inaugurated by T. V. Narendran, CEO & Managing Director of Tata Steel, in the presence of Dr Edwin Basson, Director General of the World Steel Association (worldsteel). Completed in just 3.5 months, the facility represents a significant step in India’s move towards net-zero, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Commenting on the initiative, T. V. Narendran said, “The steel-based zero energy building reflects the future of construction. Our partnership with constructsteel showcases how modern, energy-efficient, and low-carbon solutions can be replicated at scale across India and integrated into mainstream infrastructure.”

The building has been constructed using the LGSF technology, in which precisely engineered steel sections are assembled like a frame. This approach allows the building to achieve a tight envelope with minimal air leakage, better insulation, and reduced energy loss. The use of steel makes the structure lighter, faster to build, and highly durable, while its recyclability ensures lower long-term environmental impact.

Designed to produce as much energy as it consumes, the steel-based ZEB combines ultra-low operational energy demand with on-site renewable energy generation, achieving annual net-zero energy use. The building uses high-performance glazing, well-insulated walls & roof panels, and natural ventilation wherever possible. To generate clean power on-site, it uses rooftop solar panels and Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). The building also includes rainwater harvesting and low-flow fixtures to optimise water consumption.

SMS group Completes Major Upgrades at thyssenkrupp Steel Europe

SMS group has completed a significant modernisation of the automation systems in the coiler area of Hot Strip Mill No. 1 at thyssenkrupp Steel Europe in Duisburg. Originally built and put into service by SMS, this mill is renowned for producing high-quality carbon steel flat products across a diverse range of grades and dimensions. As a core element of thyssenkrupp Steel Europe’s production portfolio, the facility has undergone systematic upgrades to ensure efficiency, reliability and digital readiness.

The project focused on updating the Level 1 automation and human-machine interface (HMI) systems for the mill’s three downcoilers, addressing challenges posed by outdated spare parts and legacy operating systems. It concluded with the successful implementation of the technological control system (TCS) and HMI enhancements, significantly optimising downcoiler operations.

At the heart of this modernisation effort was the integration of SMS group’s proven X-Pact^® ProBAS software platform, combined with X-Pact® Embedded controllers. This setup provides the high-speed control performance, ensuring seamless operation. An EtherCAT real-time Ethernet network now enables robust communication between high-speed sensors, while a PROFIBUS remote I/O system supports standard sensors. Furthermore, the HMI upgrade introduced modern visualisation with ergonomic faceplates, improving user interaction and diagnostic capabilities. These measures ensure continuous plant availability and create a strong foundation for future digitalisation initiatives.

Michael Wirtz, Service Manager for Solutions Flat Products at SMS group, said, “Our lifecycle service approach ensures that automation systems remain reliable and up to date. With this recent upgrade, we have implemented high-speed control and modern communication technologies to support efficient and stable operations at the hot strip mill. Our X-Pact® Service contract, in place since 2009, underscores our partnership with thyssenkrupp Steel Europe and enables us to sustainably and reliably optimise the plant.”