Nagarnar Steel Plant Achieves Remarkable Feat by Rolling Out First Hot Rolled Coil Just 9 Days After Hot Metal Production Commences

Unprecedented Achievement Paves the Way for Rapid Commercialization

TFP Bureau, New Delhi; August 25, 2023:

In an extraordinary accomplishment that has sent ripples through the steel industry, the Nagarnar Steel Plant has achieved an astonishing feat by producing its inaugural Hot Rolled (HR) Coil a mere 9 days after commencing the production of Hot Metal. This historic milestone, accomplished by NMDC (National Mineral Development Corporation), is being hailed as a game-changer, particularly considering the mining giant’s lack of prior experience in steel manufacturing.

“This places NMDC among the esteemed ranks of Indian steel manufacturers. The realization of this dream has been long-awaited by the local Bastar community,” declared Sh. Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman-Cum-Managing Director of NMDC. Experts from the industry marveled at the achievement, highlighting the rarity of commissioning three critical units in the hot zone – the Blast Furnace, Steel Melting Shop, and the Mills (Thin Slab Caster – Hot Strip Mill) – within such a remarkably short span.

A Monumental Project:

The Nagarnar Steel Plant, boasting a massive annual capacity of 3 million tonnes, stands as a testament to India’s industrial prowess. Erected at a cost of around ₹24,000 crores, the plant is poised to carve a niche for itself in the Hot Rolled market with its assortment of high-grade Hot Rolled (HR) steel. This premium-quality steel is anticipated to cater to the needs of numerous vital sectors, fortified by cutting-edge technology including a state-of-the-art Mill. Additionally, the plant’s strategic advantage stems from its iron ore supply linkage with the Bailadila mines, strategically located a mere 100 kilometers from Nagarnar.

Yesterday India landed on the moon. Today, NMDC Steel landed onto the steel market with the steel plant commissioning, putting Bastar, Chhattisgarh on the steel map. #steel pic.twitter.com/9KpLnBLO5e

— NMDC Limited (@nmdclimited) August 24, 2023

The product portfolio of the Nagarnar Steel Plant encompasses low carbon steel, HSLA & Dual Phase Steel, and API quality steel, with the capability to be rolled into a thickness range spanning 1mm to 16mm. Distinguishing itself with the ability to roll 1650 mm wide HR, the Thin Slab Caster at the Nagarnar Steel Plant stands as the widest Mill within the public sector. The HR Coils, Sheets, and Plates, a product of India’s most contemporary mill, are projected to meet the escalating demand for high-quality HR essential in the creation of LPG cylinders, bridges, steel structures, ships, large diameter pipes, storage tanks, boilers, railway wagons, pressure vessels, as well as in the construction of tanks, railway cars, bicycle frames, engineering and military equipment, automobile & truck wheels, frames, and body parts. Furthermore, the plant’s future plans involve producing a specialized type of steel for use in generators, motors, transformers, and automobiles.

Unparalleled Triumph Recognized:

The Nagarnar Steel Plant has earned a unique distinction on the global stage as the sole steel plant established by a mining entity. With the prompt debut of the first Hot Rolled coil a mere 9 days after the commencement of hot metal production on August 15th, the plant has set yet another unprecedented record, according to experts in the industry.

Recalling that the Nagarnar Steel Plant had conducted cold trials of its Steel Melting Shop months before initiating the commissioning of the blast furnace, it becomes evident that the production of HR Coil within a short 9-day span of hot metal production is truly exceptional. This achievement was realized by strategically testing the Mills’ capabilities, enabling the rolling of slabs and the production of HR Coil even as preparations were underway for the blast furnace’s commissioning.

Ordinarily, it takes weeks for the blast furnace’s operations to stabilize, followed by the synchronization of blast furnace production with the Steel Melting Shop’s functions. This complex phase is approached with utmost care due to its high-risk nature, and only after achieving stability is the production process at the Mills fine-tuned. The successful accomplishment of this challenging process in such a limited time frame stands as a testament to the employment of cutting-edge equipment and technology, coupled with the proficiency of the dedicated professionals involved.

As the Nagarnar Steel Plant inaugurates the production of HR Coil, the focus now shifts to stabilizing the production process to facilitate swift commercialization. This rapid progress is expected to significantly mitigate, or even eliminate, the typical losses experienced by green-field steel plants during their inaugural year of commissioning.