'India's steel sector focuses on sustainable growth'
New Delhi, May 25
India's steel sector is now entering a new phase where growth is no longer measured solely in volume, but also in sustainability, reflecting a deeper evolution in industrial priorities, according to an article in the Kuwaiti media.
The country's proposed National Steel Policy 2025 targets an increase in crude steel capacity to 400 million tons by 2035-36, up from around 168 million tons currently, which firmly outlines the ambitious expansion plans ahead, the report in The Times Kuwait said. This reflects the rapid pace at which the infrastructure development, urban growth and manufacturing base are being strengthened, it added.
Meeting these targets will require massive investments, estimated at approximately $183.41 billion. Such capital inflows are expected to energise the entire value chain, from mining and transportation to processing and exports, driving widespread industrial momentum, the article pointed out.
It also highlighted that the steel industry already contributes about 2.5 per cent to GDP and supports nearly 2.8 million jobs. With expansion plans in motion, employment is projected to grow significantly, potentially creating over 3 million additional jobs by 2035-36 and reinforcing the sector's socio-economic importance.
Parallel to this growth, a structured path toward reducing emissions is being implemented. The policy aims to bring down emissions intensity to 2 metric tons of carbon dioxide per ton of finished steel by 2035-36, compared to the current level of around 2.65 tons, the article observes.
It underscores that this transition is crucial, given that steel production accounts for roughly 10 to 12 per cent of the country's total carbon emissions. Reducing this footprint aligns with India's broader commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
To meet these environmental goals, cleaner production methods are gaining traction. Gas-based steelmaking is being promoted as a viable alternative to coal-heavy processes, offering a pathway to significantly lower emissions.
At the same time, the industry is increasingly embracing scrap-based production, signalling a shift towards circular economy principles. Recycling and reuse are becoming central strategies, helping to conserve raw materials while reducing environmental impact.
Technology and infrastructure development will play a decisive role in this transition. Expanding gas pipeline networks, ensuring energy availability and strengthening industrial systems are essential to support cleaner and more efficient steel production across the country, the article added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Impressive numbers - 2.8 million jobs now and potentially 3 million more! That's real social impact. But I'd like to see more concrete details on how the $183.41 billion investment will be sourced. Will it be public-private partnerships? And how will they ensure that smaller steel players can afford the transition to cleaner technologies? Hope the policy includes support for MSMEs in the sector.
जब steel sector की बात आती है, तो मुझे कुछ सवाल हैं। 183 billion dollars का investment - ये कहां से आएगा? और क्या इतनी जल्दी में steel production बढ़ाने से pollution का स्तर कंट्रोल में रहेगा? मैं development के खिलाफ नहीं हूं, लेकिन हमें step-by-step जाना चाहिए। पहले current plants को efficient बनाएं, फिर नए plants खोलें। 😊
I'm glad sustainable growth is being prioritized alongside capacity expansion. The fact that India is aiming for net-zero by 2070 while scaling up steel production is commendable. Scrap-based steelmaking makes so much sense for a country with growing urban waste. Hope the government also invests in better waste segregation systems to support this recycling model.
क्या बात है! 400 million tons का target - ये तो चीन को भी पीछे छोड़ने जैसा है। लेकिन मैं जानना चाहता हूं कि इससे steel की कीमतों
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