NINL, a state owned and India’s largest Pig iron producer (0.86 MnT pa installed capacity) since FY05, might take a maintenance shutdown of its only Blast Furnace (BF) in Q1 FY15.
Capital repairs of the 1915 cubic meter BF is expected to take place in June 2014, for about 3 months. This is the first time that NINL’s BF is going into repairs, in order to improve the inner lining and enhance its efficiency.
In an article dated 30 Sep, 2013, SteelMint mentioned that campaign life of NINL’s BF (1.1 MnT installed capacity), commissioned about 10-11 years back, needs to be increased. It requires repairs and maintenance in order to enhance its efficiency.
Secondary Pig Iron Manufacturers remark,”There wasn’t much of impact when NINL din’t offer Pig iron for last 1.5 months (Nov to mid-Dec) to domestic takers. Increase in supply of Pig iron from manufacturers based in Cuttack and Jharsuguda, made up with the shortfall.We don’t feel market will run short of the required quantity because mismatch in demand (low) and supply (high) is expected to continue”.
In 10 years (FY05 to till mid-Dec of FY14), the BF has produced about 5.1 MnT Pig iron; 60-80% of its total installed capacity has been utilized so far.
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