HD Kumaraswamy reviews operations at Salem Steel Plant, calls for focus on profitability and capacity – ET Auto

The products are used in applications such as defence, railways, aerospace, and engineering.

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Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries, HD Kumaraswamy, visited the Salem Steel Plant, a unit of the Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), where he reviewed its operations and discussed ways to enhance profitability and capacity utilisation.

Kumaraswamy was received by the district administration and plant officials. He was accorded a Guard of Honour and planted a sapling on the premises, marking the visit’s focus on sustainable practices.

“Steel is not just a material, it is the backbone of national development. From infrastructure to innovation, our goal is growth with responsibility,” he said during the visit.The visit aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national vision of increasing India’s steel production capacity to 300 million tonnes by 2030, achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070, and supporting the broader goal of building a developed India by 2047.

Steelmaking process

Kumaraswamy toured several units in the plant, observing the production cycle from scrap processing to slab casting. He visited the scrapyard, Steel Melting Shop, Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), and slab caster, and observed operations involving the torch cutting machine and cold rolling mill.

“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 stated.

The EAF-based production process at Salem is part of a cleaner steelmaking approach aimed at reducing emissions in line with India’s climate targets.

Discussions on strategic upgrades and speciality steel

The Minister also reviewed the plant’s output of stainless steel products, including pipes, railway wagons, submersible pump components, coin blanks, and domestic LPG cylinder sheets. These are used across various sectors such as infrastructure, railways, defence, and energy.

“The finished products emerging from this plant touch millions of lives every day from homes to industries,” Kumaraswamy said.In a review meeting attended by the Chairman and Managing Director of SAIL, Joint Secretary (Steel), and the Executive Director of the Salem Plant, the Minister discussed plans to enhance the plant’s focus on speciality steel. These products are used in applications such as defence, railways, aerospace, and 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 including solar and wind. There should be full capacity utilisation and deciding on the final product mix,” he added.The Minister also met with labour union representatives and assured them of action on their concerns.