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<\/p>\nTFP Bureau, Mumbai, September 19, 2025: The steel industry\u2019s largest platform for dialogue on sustainability and innovation, AIIFA Steelex 2025, began in Mumbai with an emphatic call for India\u2019s transition to green steel. Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries, Pralhad Joshi, and Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, jointly inaugurated the event, describing it as a historic step toward decarbonising India\u2019s steel sector and positioning the country as a global leader in sustainable industrial practices. Organised by the AIIFA Sustainable Steel Manufacturers Association in collaboration with the Steel Manufacturers Association of Maharashtra, and supported by the Ministry of Steel and the United Nations Development Programme, the three-day exhibition and national conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and international experts at the Bombay Exhibition Centre.<\/p>\n
Addressing the inaugural session, Pralhad Joshi emphasised that the transition towards green steel is not simply an industrial choice but a national imperative. He said that India\u2019s steel sector stands at the heart of sustainable industrial growth and the move to green steel is aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He reminded the industry that India\u2019s strategy must be rooted in affordability, quality, and environmental responsibility. He also underlined that steelmakers must adapt quickly to international trade realities such as the European Union\u2019s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism while building resilience through circular economy models, clean technologies, and innovation. Joshi added that reforms in renewable energy and hydrogen technology are already lowering costs and making green steel commercially viable.<\/p>\n
Praising Maharashtra for pioneering sustainable practices, Joshi highlighted the state\u2019s Green Hydrogen Policy, which targets five lakh tonnes per annum of green hydrogen capacity by 2030. The establishment of the Pune Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster and the success of the PM-KUSUM scheme, popularly referred to as the Maharashtra Model, were cited as benchmarks for the rest of the country. He said that Maharashtra is emerging as a strong pillar in India\u2019s green steel ecosystem, with its integration of renewable energy and hydrogen projects setting the pace for other states. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis echoed these sentiments, noting that India has entered a new era where green steel is creating its own market. He described this as not only an economic opportunity but also a collective responsibility, adding that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India is making strategic progress to establish dominance in this emerging sector.<\/p>\n
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The Union Minister also elaborated on the government\u2019s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which has an outlay of \u20b919,744 crore and aims to produce five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. The mission also targets the addition of 125 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, \u20b98 lakh crore in investments, the creation of six lakh jobs, and the prevention of 50 million tonnes of CO\u2082 emissions every year. He informed that five pilot projects worth \u20b9132 crore are already underway in the steel sector, while Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin are being developed as major hydrogen hubs. Complementing these efforts are the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme, the Green Hydrogen Safety Panel, and the National Single Window Portal for hydrogen and electrolyser manufacturing. Joshi noted that green hydrogen prices are expected to fall below two dollars per kilogram by 2030 due to falling solar and hybrid power costs, reduced GST on renewable energy equipment and electrolysers, and policy incentives. He explained that these changes are lowering costs for farmers and citizens alike by reducing solar pump prices by \u20b91,750 crore and rooftop solar system costs by \u20b99,000 to \u20b910,500 per unit.<\/p>\n
The inaugural day also witnessed the signing of seven strategic Memoranda of Understanding worth \u20b925,560 crore, projected to create 22,600 jobs and accelerate the development of Vidarbha as India\u2019s emerging steel hub. Joshi remarked that with its industrial base and academic ecosystem, Maharashtra is uniquely positioned to lead large-scale hydrogen pilots and contribute significantly to the global hydrogen value chain.<\/p>\n
The event saw the launch of the Green Certificate, recognising steel manufacturers excelling in decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and green technologies. In addition, the AIIFA Steelex-2025 Souvenir was released, capturing innovations, best practices, and insights into the future of sustainable steel. Representing more than 1,800 members across the secondary steel sector, including induction furnace units, rolling mills, and casting units, AIIFA plays a crucial role in advancing environmentally responsible practices and aligning India\u2019s steel industry with global competitiveness.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Joshi said India envisions exporting up to 50 million tonnes of steel annually, supported by domestic reforms and expanding free trade agreements. He stressed that India\u2019s steel industry must remain future-ready and deeply committed to sustainability. As AIIFA Steelex 2025 set the tone for the next decade of steelmaking, the clear message was that India\u2019s journey toward green steel is both a necessity and an opportunity\u2014one that unites industry, government, and society in shaping a cleaner and more competitive future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurate the Steel Mahakumbh; MoUs worth \u20b925,560 crore signed to boost sustainable steel ecosystem<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3682,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[116,27],"tags":[614],"class_list":["post-3680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","category-national","tag-aiifa-steelex-2025"],"yoast_head":"\n