Essar Steel commissions 6 million tonne pellet plant in Odisha

Steel major Essar Steel announced commissioning of an iron ore beneficiation plant, an integrated 6 million tonnes pellet plant and 253 kms long slurry pipe line with 12 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) carrying capacity connecting the beneficiation facility and pellet plant in Odisha.

Essar has invested around Rs 6000 crore in setting up this integrated complex. The beneficiation facility is designed to use low grade iron ore fines. The slurry pipeline is the most cost effective and fastest mode of transportation that eases significant pressure on rail and road network, with reduced carbon foot print and minimal environmental impact.

With the commissioning of this integrated complex, Essar has become the largest pellet producer in the country with an annual production capacity of 14 MTPA comprising 8 MTPA at Vizag complex and 6 MTPA at Odisha complex.

A further 6 MTPA Pellet plant at Paradeep is scheduled to be commissioned shortly including the corresponding upscaling of the beneficiation plant, taking the annual pellet production capacity of Odisha complex to 12 MTPA.

"The way this state of the art complex has been designed puts maximum emphasis on achieving our goals in Odisha. It is a matter of pride that Indian engineers have delivered this challenging project keeping the balance between growth and sustainability," said Essar Steel chairman Shashi Ruia.

The Odisha Pellet complex is backed by infrastructure that includes a 120 MW power plant by Essar Power and a captive berth at Paradeep Port set up by Essar Ports. The Pellet plant is connected by a 9.5 kms conveyor belt to the fully mechanized berth at Paradeep port owned and operated by Essar Ports. This enables seamless transportation and loading of Pellets from the plant into the ship.

"It is our policy to make a meaningful contribution in the development of the State and the Communities we operate in. With the commissioning of this integrated facility, we will be putting this policy into practice. We are committed to a long, sustainable and fruitful partnership for the growth and prosperity of the State," Firdose Vandrevala, Executive Vice Chairman, Essar Steel India.

Essar Steel