The Hindu reported that Indian households are likely to get their crude LPG cylinders replaced by sleek and stylish looking stainless steel cylinders by this year end. The steel industry has already engaged the oil marketing companies in this regard.

Talking to journalists to announce the holding of world’s first 'Indinox - The Grand Stainless Steel Fair 2010' in Ahmedabad in January, Indian Stainless Steel Development Organization president Mr NC Mathur, who is also director of Hindal Stainless Limited, said that the industry was in active talks with the OMCs and the Petroleum Ministry to provide cost effective light weight LPG cylinders to gradually phase out the present containers.

Mr Mathur said that "Presently, the country has nearly nine crore LPG cylinders and once our proposal is through, it would create several opportunities for the sector, including employment."

The industry aimed to supply at least 500,000 cylinders in the current fiscal. These cylinders would weigh barely up to 8 kilogram in comparison to the current 17 kilogram red paint coated cylinders and are designed to last up to 25 years. The average life of the existing cylinder is 14 years and it needs refurbishing after 7 years

The steel industry was in touch with Mr Jitin Prasada union minister of state for petroleum & natural gas and officials of Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited in this regard.

Mr Mathur said that the industry would also approach the government with a proposal to replace plastic water bottles with those made of stainless steel. He added that "It has come to our knowledge that the United State Food and Drug Administration is working to replace water bottles used by school children with stainless steel bottles, citing health related issues. We are looking to move to the government with a similar proposal."

(Sourced from www.hindu.com)