August 09,
The steel-making technology in the country is on the verge of entering the next generation with major players concentrating on upgradation and modernization of facilities.
The focus is on making use of Iron ore fines, nuggets to produce steel.
Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) is in discussions with two foreign steel majors for using the technology called FINEX to make use of Iron ore fines.The detailed project report for a joint venture with POSCO is almost ready,” said the SAIL Chairman, Mr. C.S. Verma.
SAIL is also in talks with Japanese steel-maker Kobe Steel for setting up a plant near Durgapur, where Kobe will provide its patented ITMK-3 technology that uses Iron ore in the form of nuggets.
Also, SAIL plans to use new technologies, such as coke dry quenching facilities, in coke ovens in the five blast furnaces that it is upgrading.
Private enterprises, too, are not far behind. Jindal Steel and Power Ltd’s (JSPL) production cost is expected to be lower by 15-20 per cent by using hot briquetted iron (HBI). JSPL recently acquired Shadeed Iron and Steel Co’s new plant in Oman, which has this technology.
Source: The Business Line
Leave a Reply