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ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India to Boost Domestic Automotive Steel

The company has invested Rs 85 billion into this new product line.

Published

10 months ago

January 21, 2025

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ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) is set to commission a 2 million tonne production capacity for advanced automotive steel products at its Hazira plant by March 2025. This new capacity aims to eliminate the need for steel imports in India’s automotive sector, aligning with the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
The company has invested Rs 85 billion into this new product line, which will specifically cater to the automotive industry. AM/NS India is in the final stages of obtaining approval from various automobile manufacturers for the new production.
The expansion includes two new units: a Continuous Galvanizing Line and a Continuous Galvanizing and Annealing Line, which will incorporate advanced technical expertise from both ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel. These units are expected to be fully operational in 2025 and will produce licensed products with strength levels up to 1180 MPa in both coated and uncoated steel.
This initiative builds on AM/NS India’s earlier success with its introduction of Optigal and Magnelis products. The company aims to meet the growing demand for high-quality automotive steel in India, which currently stands at 7.8 million tonnes annually and is projected to grow by 7% each year.

Ranjan Dhar, Director and Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at AM/NS India, emphasized that the automobile industry currently imports about 15% of its annual 8 million tonne steel consumption. With the new production lines, the company expects to meet this demand domestically, eliminating imports altogether. The product response from the automotive sector has been promising, with AM/NS India already supplying 1.2 million tonnes of auto-grade steel.
AM/NS India aims to capture 30-35% of the auto-grade steel market in India with this expansion.

In addition to its automotive steel venture, AM/NS India plans to increase its crude steel production capacity to 15 million tonnes per annum by 2026, up from the current 9 million tonnes. This expansion will involve an investment of over Rs 600 billion.
The company is also showcasing its automotive innovations, including ArcelorMittal’s Multi Part Integration (MPI) solutions, at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo. These solutions offer cost efficiencies, reduced manufacturing costs, and streamlined processes through integrated designs, benefiting various automotive applications.
(Business Line)

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Beyond Basics: Unique Ideas for Using Distemper Paint Colours in Your Home

Unique distemmper paint ideas for a vibrant home.

Published

54 minutes ago

November 7, 2025

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Rohit and Nisha had just moved into their first rented apartment in Pune. The place had everything they wanted. Great sunlight, a tiny balcony, and affordable rent. But the walls? A dull, ugly and patchy beige that made even their colourful paintings look tired. “Let’s colour the walls,” Nisha said enthusiastically. Rohit looked at her with a calculator in hand. “You mean spend half our salary on emulsions?”

Just then, their neighbour popped in and said, “I have been using distemper paint on walls for years. It is affordable, looks good, and you can wipe it clean when your friends spill chai.” This is how they discovered a painting option that is simple, modern, and vibrant.

Why Distemper Paint Makes Sense?

Many people think of distemper as old-school, but today’s version is far from that. For example, Birla White TRUTONEx Distemper is white cement-based, giving walls better bonding and a smooth finish compared to regular acrylic paints. It is also highly washable, easy to maintain, and incredibly affordable.

The distemper paint price is lower than emulsions, but the finish is bright, clean, and perfect for giving your space a fresh look. Additionally, products like TRUTONEx offer premix shades like Super White, Pastel Green, Merrie Pink, Electric Blue, Daffodil Yellow, and Off White.

1. Living Room

Rohit decided to turn their living room TV wall into a cozy setup. Instead of painting everything, he used Electric Blue on just one wall. The bold shade added personality without costing much.

2. Kitchen

Their friend Meera had a kitchen so dark; you could barely get any sunlight inside. Her solution? Off White. It instantly brightened up the kitchen, making it look clean, spacious, and well-lit even without much natural light. Since distemper is easy to clean, occasional oil splashes or stains don’t leave permanent marks.

3. Bedroom

Bedrooms should feel relaxed, and Daffodil Yellow does just that. Riya used it on all four walls of her bedroom. The warm and cheerful tone added a soft glow, making the room feel cozy and uplifting. Unlike darker shades that make small bedrooms feel cramped, light distempered shades can make the space appear larger and brighter.

4. Dining Space

Not every wall has to scream colour. Their neighbour used Pastel Green in her dining area. She paired it with warm lighting and wooden furniture. The paint and distemper gave the space a fresh and natural vibe. The subtle green tone brought calmness and balance, making even a tiny 6-seater space feel sophisticated and inviting.

5. Kids’ Room

Nisha’s niece considered walls her personal sketchpads. Instead of expensive paint, their family went with Merrie Pink for the kids’ room. The colour was bright and cheerful. So, when the inevitable crayon marks appeared, a damp cloth did the job. That’s the beauty of high washability.

6. Entryway

Finally, Nisha painted the entryway with Super White. The moment anyone steps in, the space feels open, airy, and fresh. White also pairs beautifully with almost any decor style. Since distemper paint price is low, refreshing high-traffic areas like entryways every year does not feel like a luxury anymore.

A Fresh Look That Doesn’t Empty Your Wallet

By the end of the weekend, Rohit and Nisha’s apartment had transformed from a boring beige box into a vibrant and lively home. Sometimes, it is not about expensive finishes or complicated techniques. It is about being smart with classic options and making them shine. With the right shades in the right spaces, TRUTONEx distemper gives your home personality and style. To explore the range of colour shades, visit www.birlawhite.com.

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Maiden Forgings Becomes Approved Supplier to OFB Murad Nagar

New registration strengthens company’s role in India’s defence manufacturing

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2025

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Maiden Forgings Limited (MFL), one of India’s leading producers of bright steel bars and wires, has been officially registered as an approved supplier with the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Murad Nagar, under the Centralised Vendor Registration process.

This recognition adds to MFL’s existing registration with OFB Kolkata, marking another strategic step in its deepening engagement with India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. With this new approval, the company strengthens its foothold in the Business-to-Government (B2G) segment and expands its participation in the nation’s defence production network.

Commenting on the milestone, Nishant Garg, Managing Director, Maiden Forgings Limited, said, “We are pleased to share that MFL has now been registered as a supplier with the Ordnance Factory Board, Murad Nagar. This milestone further builds on our existing registration with OFB Kolkata and reinforces our commitment to contributing to India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.”

He added that the registration marks a significant move in MFL’s expansion into the defence and B2G sectors. “With our decades of metallurgical expertise, modern facilities, and unwavering focus on quality, we are well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of the defence sector and continue delivering high-performance products aligned with national priorities,” Garg said.

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Steel Industry Seeks Stronger Action to Curb Rising Imports

Producers urge policy steps as imports surge, hurting domestic utilisation

Published

3 days ago

November 4, 2025

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India’s steel producers have called for stronger government intervention to curb rising steel imports, particularly from China, which produced 746.3 million tonnes (MT) of crude steel between January and September 2025 — over six times India’s output.

According to the World Steel Association, India produced 122.4 MT during the same period. In September alone, China’s production of 73.5 MT was more than fivefold India’s 13.6 MT.

The stainless steel sector continues to face pressure from imports, operating at just 60 per cent of its 7.5 MT installed capacity. Industry representatives warned that unless measures are strengthened, domestic utilisation and investment plans could suffer.

Over the past few years, the Ministry of Steel has introduced over 100 Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to prevent non-BIS-compliant steel products from entering the Indian market. The June 2025 QCO even imposed restrictions on importing certain steel inputs.

“The validity of QCOs can be extended to prevent sub-standard and cheap material from entering the country,” said an industry executive, calling for further protective measures aligned with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

In March 2025, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) recommended a 12 per cent provisional safeguard duty for 200 days on select steel products to counter a surge in imports. However, the stainless steel industry later sought a broader probe, as its concerns were not fully covered by the duty.

A high-level committee of NITI Aayog is expected to meet steel industry leaders next week to discuss the issue, sources indicated.

Data from BigMint show that domestic steel prices fell to a five-year low in October due to higher import inflows. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also flagged the rise in imports — largely driven by lower prices — and called for policy support to strengthen domestic competitiveness.

India imported 0.79 MT of finished steel in September 2025, up from 0.69 MT in August, marking the sixth consecutive month as a net steel importer. Imports from Korea, Russia, and Indonesia rose, while those from China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan declined year-on-year.

During the first half of FY26, inbound shipments exceeded exports by 0.47 MT despite a 40 per cent rise in export volumes to 4.43 MT, underscoring the growing import imbalance faced by the domestic steel industry.