Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that JSW Group, in collaboration with South Korean steel giant POSCO, will set up a greenfield steel facility in his home district of Keonjhar. This development follows speculation regarding the location of the joint venture.

During his two-day visit to Keonjhar to celebrate Diwali, Majhi disclosed that discussions about the steel plant took place during roadshows for the upcoming Make-in-Odisha conclave held in Delhi and Mumbai. He confirmed that the two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the plant, which will be situated in the mineral-rich Keonjhar district.

The MoU was signed on October 29 at JSW Group’s corporate headquarters in Mumbai, with prominent figures such as JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal and POSCO Chairman Chang In-hwa in attendance. The planned integrated steel plant will have an initial capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).

Additionally, the partnership will explore collaborations in battery materials for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy to meet the captive needs of the proposed facility. The Odisha government has earmarked two land parcels in Keonjhar for this purpose: one spanning 2,500 acres near Odisha Tea Plantation Ltd in the Taramakant area under the Banspal block, and another 1,956-acre site in Patna, which was initially offered to steel major ArcelorMittal.

This venture marks a renewed effort by POSCO to establish a presence in Odisha after its earlier attempt to set up a 12 million tonnes steel mill in Paradip was abandoned due to protests and regulatory challenges.

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) India is moving forward with a significant steel project in Andhra Pradesh, entailing an investment of ?1.4 lakh crore. This massive project aims to establish a steel manufacturing capacity of 17.8 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), with operations expected to boost both state and national steel output. The facility will incorporate advanced, sustainable technologies and contribute significantly to India’s target of self-sufficiency in steel production. The venture includes environmental compliance measures and strategic partnerships with local stakeholders to promote economic growth and job creation in the region. The Andhra Pradesh government has welcomed the investment, highlighting its potential to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs. AM/NS India’s investment underscores its commitment to expanding its footprint in India and aligning with national goals to elevate the country as a global steel production hub. The project’s development is expected to attract further infrastructure investment and strengthen the state’s industrial base.

The Indian government is crafting a special incentive package aimed at accelerating green steel manufacturing within the country. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Steel, this initiative seeks to support India’s transition to sustainable industrial practices by encouraging the steel sector to adopt low-carbon production methods. Traditional steel production is highly energy-intensive and contributes significantly to carbon emissions, making decarbonization a priority as India advances its net-zero goals.

Key components of this incentive package include promoting green hydrogen and renewable energy sources for steel production, offering financial incentives and subsidies for companies investing in green technologies. Additionally, the package will support the establishment of electric arc furnaces, which are less carbon-intensive than traditional coal-based blast furnaces, allowing manufacturers to reduce their fossil fuel dependency.

This incentive aligns with India’s broader objectives to minimize its carbon footprint and lead by example in climate responsibility. The initiative supports the use of renewable power, carbon capture, and recycling to decrease emissions and create a more environmentally responsible steel industry. Green steel production, relying on hydrogen-based methods and scrap-based electric furnaces, also aims to reduce import dependency for critical resources like coal, enhancing energy security and resource efficiency within the industry.

Moreover, as global demand for green steel rises, this package positions Indian manufacturers to remain competitive in international markets that are increasingly enforcing low-carbon mandates. India’s steel industry—among the largest in the world—would benefit from such incentives, facilitating technological advancements and attracting foreign investment into the green steel sector. These incentives are also part of India’s commitment under the National Steel Policy and the Paris Agreement to develop a clean energy ecosystem and reduce overall emissions across sectors.

By encouraging innovative and sustainable practices, the government’s plan is expected to not only stimulate economic growth but also pave the way for a greener industrial future, contributing to India’s stature as a global leader in sustainable steel manufacturing.