It is reported that India plans to add about 4.6 million tonnes per year of stainless steel capacity in 5 years, which could make it the world’s second largest stainless producer after China. India currently produces about 2 million tonnes per year of stainless steel, more than a third of which is exported as the domestic market is yet to be developed.
The expansion plans under way include following players
1. Jindal Stainless Limited
The largest expansion planned is JSL project to add 1.6 million tonnes per year to its near 800,000 tonnes per year capacity.
2. FACOR
FACOR has said that it will put up a 500,000 tonnes per year stainless plant beside its 65,000 tonnes per year charge chrome ferrochrome facility in Orissa state, and may add another 50,000 tonnes per year of stainless capacity next to its 50,000 tonnes per year alloy and special steels plant near Nagpur.
3. Rohit Ferro
Rohit Ferro Tech is planning a 200,000 tonnes per year stainless project
4. Steel Authority of India Limited
SAIL is adding 300,000 tonnes per year of capacity at its stainless plant in Salem.
5. Visa Steel
Visa Steel is expected to have 500,000 tonnes per year of stainless capacity out of the 1.5 million tonnes per year alloy and stainless steel plant it is building
6. Viraj Group
Viraj plans to add as much as 850,000 tonnes per year of flat stainless capacity.
7. Godavari Ispat
Godavari Ispat also has plans to produce at least 200,000 tonnes per year of stainless steel
8. Shah Alloys
Shah Alloys also plans to add more capacity.
All these projects, if realized, will add 4.6 million tonnes per year of stainless capacity. Most of these stainless steel producers have captive ferrochrome supplies and power, which should keep production costs down. India does not produce nickel. Its stainless production is mostly in the 200 series or other low nickel types widely used in making utensils, and in construction and infrastructure.
