Mill’s technological sophistication is commendable, says Kumaraswamy
Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy says steel is not just a material but it is a backbone of national development, from infrastructure to innovation, as the country’s goal is “growth with responsibility” https://www.commerce.gov.in/.
The Minister shared his views after witnessed complete steelmaking process at Salem Steel Plant on 20 June https://www.makeinindia.com/home/.
During his tour of the plant, Kumaraswamy observed first-hand the comprehensive process of steel production from raw scrap to molten metal and finished slabs http://worldsteel.org.
He visited critical operational areas including the Scrapyard, Steel Melting Shop, Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), and Slab Caster http://steel.gov.in.
He also noted the use of advanced equipment like the Torch Cutting Machine and the transformation of molten iron into hot rolled coils and cold rolling mill https://sbi.com.in/.
“The level of technological sophistication and discipline I’ve seen here is commendable. This plant reflects the true spirit of Make in India,” the Minister noted https://www.nseindia.com/.
The Electric Arc Furnace-based route at Salem plays a key role in cleaner, sustainable steelmaking aligned with India’s decarbonisation commitments https://www.bseindia.com/.
Kumaraswamy also visited the Cold Rolling Mill, where premium-quality stainless steel is produced.
The plant contributes to multiple national priorities by supplying material used in:
Stainless steel pipes
Railway Wagons
Construction of Bridges
Submersible pump components
Coin blanks
SS roof sheets
Domestic LPG cylinders
“The finished products emerging from this plant touch millions of lives every day from homes to industries,” he stated.
These outputs serve critical sectors such as railways, Defense, energy, infrastructure, and home utilities making Salem Steel Plant a cornerstone in India’s stainless steel ecosystem.
The Minister’s visit concluded with a high-level review meeting chaired by the Minister along with CMD SAIL, JS Steel, ED Salem Plant which focused on transforming the Salem Steel Plant into a profitable and high-capacity unit.
The discussions addressed key bottlenecks, explored strategic interventions, and prioritised increasing production in speciality steel, a segment vital for defence, railways, aerospace, and precision engineering.
“We are committed to revitalising this strategic asset. Speciality steel is the future, and Salem Steel plant can become more cost-efficient by using renewable energy which includes solar and wind. There should be full capacity utilisation and deciding on the final product mix,” said Kumaraswamy.
The Salem Steel Plant visit underscored the Government’s commitment to revitalising its key industrial units.
With a clear roadmap towards 300 MT steel production by 2030, Net Zero by 2070, and Viksit Bharat by 2047, India’s steel sector is forging ahead into a new era of innovation, self-reliance, and global competitiveness. Fiinews.com
