7th India International DRI & Steel Summit 2026
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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.

Sponge Iron Production Cluster

Participants List

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Our event schedules are listed below
08:30-10:00 IST
Registrations
Registrations
10:00-11:00 IST
Session Hall
Inaugural Session
11:00-12:00 IST
Session Hall
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.
12:00-12:20 IST
Networking Tea / Coffee
Networking Tea / Coffee
12:20-13:20 IST
Session Hall
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.
13:20-14:20 IST
Networking Lunch
Networking Lunch
14:20-15:20 IST
Session Hall
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.
15:20-16:20 IST
Session Hall
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.
16:20-17:30 IST
Session Hall
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.


 

17:30-17:40 IST
Session Hall
Concluding Remarks & Roadmap
19:00 IST
Welcome Dinner & Cocktails
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

Esteemed Sponsors

What to Expect
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Who Should Attend?
DRI & Steel Producers
Iron Ore Miners & Suppliers
Pellet Manufacturers & Suppliers
Non-Coking Coal Suppliers
Technology and Equipment Suppliers
Engineering Consultants
Innovators, Researchers & Traders
Floor Plan
No floor plan available
Venue
Le Meridien, New Delhi
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