7th India International DRI & Steel Summit 2026

About the conference

7th India International DRI & Steel Summit 2026 | Navigating the Sustainable Growth of Indian Steel Industry

Steel has played a pivotal role in driving India’s economic growth, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. The outlook for the Indian steel industry remains strong, driven by rising demand in key sectors such as infrastructure development, automotive manufacturing, and construction. In parallel, India’s Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) capacity is also on the rise.   
The DRI sector is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% by 2030, with expected annual production reaching between 65 to 70 million tonnes by FY’30. As DRI capacity expands and production technologies improve, India is well-positioned to capitalize fast emerging requirements of metallics.   
The global scrap market is constantly evolving, influenced by geopolitical shifts, trade policies, and environmental regulations, opening new avenues for Indian mills to import scrap from diverse sources. As India increases its steel scrap imports, it strengthens its potential to become a dominant force in the global steel industry. DRI and steel scrap together will fuel the Indian steel production.
 
The Challenge of Sustainability
While the Indian steel industry is poised for significant growth, it must also address the critical challenge of sustainability. Reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to a greener production model are paramount for the long-term success of the sector.

About the Organiser 
Sponge Iron Manufacturers Association 
India took its first significant step towards economic liberalization in 1991. At that time, the country's economy was undergoing a radical transformation. In response to this changing landscape, the Sponge Iron Manufacturers Association (SIMA) was established and began its operations on 11th February 1992. SIMA's primary objective is to serve as a platform for the exchange of knowledge, experiences and growth-related insights within the industry. 

One of SIMA's key roles is to provide a forum for reviewing the industry's smooth functioning in relation to Government policies, global developments and market feasibilities. As an apex body, SIMA also acts as an interface with the Government, advocating for and safeguarding the ever-growing needs of the industry in a rapidly evolving business environment.
Furthermore, SIMA is committed to maintaining an up-to-date database from both national and global perspectives. This ensures that its members are well informed about growth possibilities and prospects, enabling them to make informed decisions.

In summary, SIMA plays a crucial role in facilitating the growth and development of the sponge iron manufacturing industry in India. By fostering knowledge exchange, advocating for industry needs, and providing valuable insights, SIMA contributes to the industry's success in an increasingly competitive global market.

Knowledge & Marketing Partner - BigMint
BigMint  is a trusted platform for price reporting, market intelligence and consulting for commodities. We enable our clients to take critical market decisions by providing a robust platform for pricing, data and networking. This keeps them at the forefront of the industry. We also provide networking and business platforms by organising conferences cutting across sectors and in different corners of the globe to enable stakeholders to come together and share their ideas, knowledge and exhibit products and services among their peers.  

BigMint Events, formerly SteelMint Events, is a powerhouse in connecting all the stakeholders in the commodities space. Since 2014, we have hosted over 35 industry-shaping conferences worldwide, engaging over 15,000 participants. We bring together a diverse range of thought leaders including producers, buyers, sellers, and solution providers, fostering knowledge exchange and building a dynamic networking platform for professionals across the commodity landscape. 
 

Industry Overview and Market Outlook

Sponge Iron Production Cluster

The data highlights the projected growth of sponge iron capacity across key clusters, with Sundergarh, Durgapur, and Raigarh leading the expansion by FY'30. Notably, the Sundergarh Cluster is set to maintain its top position, growing from 10 MTPA in FY'23 to 12 mnt per annum by FY'30. The Durgapur and Angul clusters show significant growth, indicating increasing investments in direct reduced iron (DRI) production.

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Schedule

Our event schedules are listed below

Registrations
08:30-10:00 IST

Registrations


Session Hall
10:00-11:00 IST

Inaugural Session


Session Hall
11:00-12:00 IST

Issues Impacting Sustainable Growth of Indian Steel Industry

  • Strong Growth: India’s steel demand is expected to rise 8.5–9% in FY 2025–26, fueled by infrastructure, housing, and industrial expansion.
  • Future Vision: The National Steel Policy 2030 targets 300 MT capacity, driven by modernization, policy support, and sustainable investments.


Networking Tea / Coffee
12:00-12:20 IST

Networking Tea / Coffee


Session Hall
12:20-13:20 IST

Raw Materials and Mining Landscape

  • Shift toward low-emission steelmaking is driving higher demand for Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) 
  • Expanding DRI capacity, improving raw material availability, and adopting advanced reduction technologies are essential to achieve low-carbon and cost-efficient steel production in the coming decade.


Networking Lunch
13:20-14:20 IST

Networking Lunch


Session Hall
14:20-15:20 IST

New- Gen Entrepreneurs: Driving Technological Breakthroughs in Steel Industry

  • Next-generation business leaders will share their vision for a prosperous steel industry and growth strategies.
  • The discussion will address challenges faced and the balance between innovation and traditional practices.
  • Leaders will dwell on their goals of reshaping the local industrial landscape through a blend of change and continuity.


Session Hall
15:20-16:20 IST

R&D for Economic Growth - Imperative or Option

  • India’s steel sector needs to strengthen R&D beyond incremental improvements, focusing on decarbonization, alternative fuels, and advanced technologies to meet global sustainability goals and enhance competitiveness.
  • Stronger collaboration between industry, academia, and government is essential to build an innovation ecosystem that drives impactful research, long-term resilience, and sustainable growth.


Session Hall
16:20-17:30 IST

Challenges in Steel Making in the Secondary Steel Sector

  • The secondary steel sector contributes nearly 47% of India’s total production, driving regional industrialization, employment, and economic growth.
  • Key challenges include cost competitiveness, limited access to finance for technology upgrades, quality inconsistencies, and volatile raw material prices.
  • Growth opportunities lie in policy reforms, modernization, and green steel initiatives, supported by stronger collaboration across government, industry, and research institutions.


 


Session Hall
17:30-17:40 IST

Concluding Remarks & Roadmap


Welcome Dinner & Cocktails
19:00 IST

Networking Dinner & Cocktails


Esteemed Speakers



Member

NITI Aayog

Joint Secretary

Ministry of Steel

Joint Secretary

Ministry of Steel

Chairman

National Green Hydrogen Mission

Jt. MD & CEO

JSW Steel Ltd.

Vice President - Long Products

Tata Steel Ltd.

Director

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

Group Advisor- Law & Corporate Affairs

Jindal Steel Ltd.

Director, Strategy External Affairs

Jindal Steel Ltd.

President & CEO

Midrex Technologies Inc.

VP-Projects Metallurgy

Electrotherm (India) Ltd.

Chief Corporate Sustainability

Tata Steel Ltd.

Vice President

Danieli Group

Group Chief- Raw Material Procurement

Tata Steel Ltd.

President

AIIFA Sustainable Steel Manufacturers Association

Joint VP and Head - Sales & Marketing (TMT, Wire Rod and Cement)

Rungta Mines Ltd.

Executive Director

Godawari Power & Ispat Ltd.

Director

Bhagyalaxmi Rolling Mill Pvt. Ltd.

Head of Sales Direct And Smelting Reduction

Primetals Technologies

Head - Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science

IIT Bombay

Director

Kalika Steel Alloys Pvt. Ltd.

Executive Director

Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd.

Director

Star Global LLC

Managing Director

Janki Corp Ltd.

Executive Director

Sponge Iron Manufacturers Association

Professor, Dept. of Chemical Engineering

BITS Pilani

Researcher

IISC Bangalore

Sr. Fellow -Industrial Energy Efficiency Division

The Energy and Resources Institute

Director

Suraj Products Ltd.

Director

Welspun Specialty Solutions

Professor

IIT Kanpur

President (HOD Bulk Raw Material)

Welspun Corp Limited

JSP Group Advisory

JSP Group Advisory Services

Chief Executive Officer

Balaji Malts

Sr. Business Analyst

Quesrow Research and Consulting Private Limited

Practitioner Development Economist, Former Secretary Steel

Practitioner Development Economist

Former Secretary

Ministry of Steel

Process Specialist

M. N. Dastur Pvt. Ltd.

Partner - Consulting

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP

Chief Sustainability Officer

JSW Steel Ltd.

Executive Vice President-Corporate Affairs

JSW Steel Ltd.

CEO

Helios Tech Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Esteemed Sponsors

PRINCIPAL SPONSORS

 

 

GOLD SPONSORS

 

 

SILVER SPONSORS

 

 

What to Expect

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Floor Plan

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Venue

Le Meridien, New Delhi

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For SIMA Member Queries

Theresa Francis
+91 85279 81743
dkedsima@gmail.com

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For Speakers
For Speakers

Muskan Gautam
+91-9179044111
muskan@bigmint.co

For Sponsorship & Exhibition
For Sponsorship & Exhibition

Pankaj Thakur
+91-9039322000
pankaj@bigmint.co

For Delegates
For Delegates

Kabir Raj Dubey
+91-9993931361
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