India: Steel ministry stresses on enhancing per capita steel consumption to 222 kg/capita

India's Minister of State for Steel, Faggan Singh Kulaste, while addressing an industry event in Delhi on 28-29 July 2023, said there is a need to work on enhancing per capita steel consumption in the country to reach the global level of 222 kg/capita from the present 86.7 kg/capita. Attending STEELEX 2023 and the 35th national conference of the All India Induction Furnace Association (AIIFA), he spoke on "Decarbonising the steel sector in India: An era of moving towards greener path through circular economy".

Mr Kulaste elaborated that increased consumption and demand will have a multiplier effect on steel capacity creation, investment in the sector, increasing employment, besides inflow of new technology. This will assist in decarbonisation and reduction in carbon emissions.

Other leaders present on the occasion included Mr Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel (MoS), and Ms Ruchika Chaudhary Govil, Additional Secretary, MoS.

Steel industry should strive reducing carbon emission to 8%

Mr Kulaste appreciated the efforts of the secondary steel sector and AIIFA's role in the Indian construction sector, especially in rural areas.

He urged the secondary steel sector on building human capability though a well-planned institutional mechanism, as is being done by the integrated steel sector. He stated that a well-trained manpower is essential for meeting the requirements of capacity creation, increased production, efficient resource utilisation and innovation in the industry.

He further added, the Indian domestic steel industry should strive for the global level 8% carbon emission from the present level of 11%, either by adopting currently available carbon capturing technology and renewable energy or by retrofitting in the older plants.

Focus on induction furnace mills' capacity utilisation

Speaking on the occasion, Steel Secretary Sinha emphasised on the need to focus on capacity utilisation which remains at around 70% in the induction furnace segment. He urged the secondary steel sector to adapt to new technologies in view of its significant carbon contribution and energy inefficient processes.

He mentioned that the ministry formed 13 task forces in March 2023 to decarbonise the steel sector. Out of these, the ones on material efficiency, energy efficiency, skill development and finance are to especially benefit induction furnace mills.

He highlighted the importance of investing in research and development for new products and processes. The ministry's 'R&D in the Steel Sector' scheme gives opportunities for growth and innovation in the industry, he said.