Page 3 - Steel Sector

India a net steel importer in Apr-Nov amid price pressures: Eco Survey

India remained a net importer of steel even as the industry faced price pressures, the Economic Survey 2024-25 said on Friday. The decline in export of finished steel during FY25 was mainly driven by gaps between international and domestic prices, the pre-Budget document for the 2024-25 fiscal year said. The survey said India has been a net importer of steel from April to November period of the ongoing financial year, even as companies faced price pressures and lower global prices. The low price in the international market during this period resulted in a low margin on exports and cheaper imports, it said. Capacity utilisation in manufacturing remains above the long-term average, and private sector order books have shown steady growth, alongside a rise in investment intentions. However, these gains could be tempered by the global excess capacities in sectors such as steel, leading to aggressive trade policies in search of demand, the survey pointed out. On steel demand in India,

India needs to add 100 mn tonnes of steel making capacity by 2030: Secy

India needs to add 100 million tonnes (MT) of steel making capacity by 2030 on priority to avoid becoming dependent on imports, Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik said on Friday. He also pointed out that slumped steel demand and over capacities globally have affected domestic industry. The official made the remarks at an event organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in the national capital. One priority is to create more capacity. India has about 200 MT steel capacity at present. Roughly 20 MT was added this financial year, he said. "So we have to add another 100 MT of capacity in next six years. If we don't do that, then we basically become dependent on the imports," the Poundrik said addressing the session 'Viksit Bharat: India@2047 through Prism of Steel Sector'. Under the National Steel Policy (NSP) 2017, the government has set a target of scaling up India's overall steel manufacturing capacity to 300 MT by 2030. Another priority, the secretary said, is keeping domestic s

Budget 2025: Steel makers expect protectionist measures to prevent dumping

Domestic steel makers said they are expecting protectionist measures in the upcoming Budget to safeguard the sector from dumping. AMNS India CEO Dilip Oommen said he expects the government to continue its focus on infrastructure development while enhancing the ease of doing business. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for the 2025-26 financial year in Parliament on February 1, 2025. JSW Steel Joint MD & CEO Jayant Acharya said a level-playing field and measures against unfair trade will be essential for maintaining growth momentum of the Indian steel industry. Synergy Steels Managing Director Anubhav Kathuria said the Budget may also consider fiscal incentives and logistical support to offset high input costs, which squeezed out margins in 2024. JSL MD Abhyuday Jindal said, "We urge the government to raise the basic customs duty on stainless steel products to 15 per cent for all non-free trade agreement countries." These steps will further strengthe

Analysts see long term growth intact for Tata Steel after Q3 tops estimates

Despite near-term challenges such as high imports and lower realisations, the long-term outlook for Tata Steel remains positive, analsyts at Motilal Oswal said

Tata Steel Q3 result: Net profit drops 43% to Rs 295 cr due to lower income

Tata Steel on Monday reported a 43.4 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 295.49 crore for the quarter ended on December 31, 2024, due to lower income. The company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 522.14 crore in the year-ago period. The consolidated income declined to Rs 53,869.33 crore in the October-December period from Rs 55,539.77 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal, according to an exchange filing by Tata Steel. Total expenses of Tata Steel dropped to Rs 52,118.09 crore over 53,351.13 in the year-ago period. The steel major had earlier said that its India crude steel production grew by 6 per cent to 5.68 million tonnes (MT) in the third quarter of the current fiscal compared to 5.35 MT in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal. Deliveries in India reached 5.29 MT for the third quarter, up 8.4 per cent Y-o-Y, due to steady sales in the domestic market and strategic presence in exports. Tata Steel Netherlands reported liq

Steel, cement sector in hands of few people, cartels a big problem: Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said the steel and cement industry "cartels" pose a big problem for the country and its infrastructure development. There are very few players in the two sectors, which are critical for infrastructure development, and these players act in cahoots. "Steel and cement industries are in the hands of a few people. They always decide the rates. Their cartelism is a big problem for the country," he said, speaking at the IECRP 2025 exhibition here. The Union minister said the fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) can act as a good alternative to break the hold of the steel and cement companies and offered every help possible. "To create alternative material is my important interest to support you," he said. However, he urged the FRP players to bring down their prices such that the final costs are less by 20-25 per cent than the other entrenched alternatives. He said FRP players will have to invest in their research and development by ..

Jindal Stainless races 4% as Nuvama upgrades to 'Buy,' raises target price

The rally in Jindal Stainless shares followed an upgrade by Nuvama Institutional Equities (Nuvama), which raised its rating on the stock to 'Buy' from 'Hold' and set a revised target price of Rs 836

Finished steel imports hit six-year high in April-December, up 20% YoY

The country remained a net importer of finished steel during April-December, with exports slumping 24.6 per cent

Tata Steel's crude steel production rises 6% to 5.68 mn tonnes in Q3FY25

Steel major Tata Steel on Tuesday said its crude steel production in the country grew by six per cent to 5.68 million tonnes in the third quarter of the current fiscal. The company's crude steel output was 5.35 MT in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal. "Tata Steel India crude steel production stood at 5.68 million tonnes. Production was up eight per cent quarter-on-quarter and six per cent year-on-year, aided by the commissioning of the five MTPA blast furnaces at Kalinganagar in September," the steel firm said in a regulatory filing. Deliveries in India reached 5.29 MT for the third quarter, up 8.4 per cent year-on-year, due to steady sales in the domestic market and strategic presence in exports. Tata Steel Netherlands reported liquid steel production of 1.76 million tonnes for the third quarter with deliveries at 1.53 million tonnes. "Deliveries include volumes to UK operations of around 0.12 million tonnes. For nine months of FY25, deliveries were up 16 per cent

Outlook 2025: Govt capex, safeguard duty key to steel sector performance

The monthly average price for December 2023 was Rs 55,000 per tonne while for December 2024, it stood at Rs 46,900 per tonne

PS Raj Steels gets NSE Emerge's clearance to raise funds through IPO

Haryana-based P S Raj Steels on Monday said it has received in-principle approval from NSE's SME platform Emerge to raise funds through an initial public offering. P S Raj Steels Ltd (PSSR), a stainless-steel pipes and tubes manufacturer, received the approval from NSE's Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) platform Emerge on January 2, the company said in a statement. The company had filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with NSE Emerge in September 2024. PSSR is currently in the process of filing its Red Herring Prospectus (RHP) with updated information and expects to list on NSE Emerge, it added. The initial public offering (IPO) is entirely a fresh issue of up to 20.20 lakh equity shares with a face value of Rs 10 each, as per the draft papers. PSSR intends to utilise Rs 23.5 crore of the total IPO proceeds towards working capital requirement including margin money and the remaining capital will be used for issue related expenses. Promoted by Raj Kumar Gupta, Deepak Kum

Citing national security, US govt blocks Nippon Steel's bid to buy US Steel

The proposed tie-up has faced high-level opposition within the United States since it was announced a year ago, with both Biden and his incoming successor Donald Trump taking aim

Global steel cos struggling for profits, demand up in India: Tata Steel CEO

Tata Steel CEO and managing director TV Narendran on Wednesday said while the global steel sector is struggling to generate profits due to factors such as China's aggressive pricing, the demand for the metal and its consumption in India is growing. Addressing a gathering at a New Year cake-cutting event here, Narendran said 2023 and 2024 have been difficult for the sector globally because of compression in steel margin and a continued struggle to make profits, particularly due to the curbs imposed in China during COVID. On global conflicts, he said events happening in various parts of the world have direct or indirect impacts on India. However, the most significant challenge the country faces is the slowdown in China, where recovery is yet to materialise. Narendran expressed concern over China's unfair competition, urging the Indian government to take steps to safeguard domestic industries. Despite these challenges, he assured that Tata Steel is well-positioned and profitable in Ind

Cos invested Rs 17,581 cr under PLI for specialty steel till Oct: Govt

Companies have invested Rs 17,581 crore under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for specialty steel till October 2024, the government said on Monday. To encourage domestic production of 'specialty steel' and lower imports by drawing in capital investments, the government introduced the PLI scheme for specialty steel. "As of October 2024, companies have already invested Rs 17,581 crore and generated over 8,660 in employment," the steel ministry said in a statement. Participating companies have committed to an investment of Rs 27,106 crore, direct employment of 14,760 and estimated production of 7.90 million tonnes of 'specialty steel' identified in the scheme. The ministry earlier said investments in the steel sector have a long gestation period and depend on factors such as procurement of various equipment, many of which are from abroad. Delays due to unavoidable circumstances in the projects include supply chain delays due to geopolitical issues, unforeseen events, nat

Govt plans up to 25% temporary tax to curb cheap Chinese steel imports

The proposal gained broad support at a meeting chaired by commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday after small industries dropped initial opposition once they received assurances

Govt considering proposal to impose safeguard duty on steel imports

The government is considering a proposal to impose safeguard duty on steel imports, Union Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Thursday. "The process is going" on the ministry's proposal to impose a 25 per cent duty on steel imports, Kumaraswamy told PTI on the sidelines of an event here. On December 2, the steel ministry in a meeting with the commerce department had proposed for a 25 per cent safeguard duty on certain steel products imported into the country. The steel minister and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal were present in the meeting. A final call on imposing the duty can be taken by the finance ministry on recommendations of the ministry of commerce. Domestic steel players have been consistently raising concerns over increasing cheap imports of steel from select nations, affecting their competitiveness. Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik last month said more than 60 per cent of steel imports come from FTA (free trade agreement) countries at nil duty and any du

India studying temporary tax plea on China steel imports: JSW Group chief

Indian steel mills have been grappling with a higher influx of Chinese steel imports, hitting domestic prices and denting companies' earnings

JSW Steel emerges preferred bidder for Codli mineral block XII in Goa

JSW Steel on Tuesday said it has been declared as the preferred bidder for Codli Mineral Block XII at Dharbandora in Goa. The company has received a communication from the Office of the Director, Directorate of Mines & Geology, Government of Goa, JSW Steel said in an exchange filing. "The company is declared as 'Preferred Bidder' with highest final offer price at 92.60 per cent of the value of mineral dispatched, it said. The projected iron ore resources are 48.5 million tonnes in addition to 2.7 million tonnes of ore in dumps, JSW Steel said. The company will take all requisite steps to obtain Letter of Intent and statutory clearances to execute the lease deed with Mine Development and Production Agreement (MDPA) and start the mining operations. In a separate filing, JSW Steel said its Italian arm JSW Steel Italy SrL has signed a commercial agreement with Metinvest Adria S.p.A "As per the agreement, Metinvest is obliged to pay a release fee of Euro 30 million to JSW Steel Italy

NMDC Steel Q2 results: Loss widens to Rs 595 cr, income at Rs 1,535.46 cr

NMDC Steel on Tuesday said its loss had widened to Rs 595.37 crore in September quarter, on account of a surge in expenses. It had posted a loss of Rs 131.10 crore in the year-ago period, the company said in an exchange filing. The company's total income increased to Rs 1,535.46 crore from Rs 290.27 crore a year earlier. However, NMDC Steel's expenses rose to Rs 2,364.39 crore in the second quarter of the ongoing fiscal year from Rs 464.93 crore a year ago. NMDC Steel Ltd, an entity demerged and formed from mining firm NMDC, owns and operates the 3 million-tonne Nagar Steel Plant at Nagarnar in Chhattisgarh. Nagarnar plant is referred to as India's youngest steel unit set up with an investment of about Rs 23,000 crore. NMDC Steel started commercial operations at the unit from August 31, 2023.

JSW Group, Korea's Posco partner to develop integrated steel plant in India

JSW Group and South Korea's Posco Group will also be exploring joint ventures in production and manufacturing within the electric vehicle sector