Tata Steel's January output up

Tata Steel has recorded a higher hot metal, crude steel and saleable steel production in January 2009 compared to the same period last year.

The production of hot metal, crude steel and saleable steel in January 2009 increased by 32 per cent, 25 per cent and 35 per cent respectively, over production in January 2008. Sales in January 2009 went up by 26 per cent compared to the sales in January 2008.

Hot metal production from blast furnace H, which was blown in the middle of the last year, recorded its highest production since the start-up at 2.57 lakh tonnes, marking a capacity utilisation of 124 per cent.

The company registered best-ever long product sales - 2.11 lakh tonnes - against its previous best in November 2008. Steel dispatch from Jamshedpur Works was at its best at 4.96 lakh tonnes against its previous best of 4.47 lakh tonnes in March 2008.

During the month, Tata Steel has started the initial civil construction work at its six million tonne greenfield project at Kaliganagar, Orissa.