The policy seeks to promote value-added products, including stainless and speciality steel, while strengthening quality standards and conformity assessment mechanisms…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The government has proposed nearly tripling India’s crude steel production capacity to 604 million tonnes by 2047, from the current level of around 220 million tonnes, under the draft National Steel Policy 2047.
The policy outlines plans to expand production, secure raw material supplies and reduce carbon emissions in the steel industry, in line with India’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
The draft aims to reduce the sector’s average carbon emission intensity from the current 2.54 tonnes of carbon dioxide per tonne of crude steel to around 1.54 tonnes by 2047.
Demand for finished steel is projected to reach 505 million tonnes by 2047, while per capita consumption is expected to rise to 302kg. The expansion is also expected to increase steel exports by 45 million tonnes.
Iron ore demand is forecast to rise from 299 million tonnes in 2025 to 772 million tonnes by 2047. The policy proposes securing high-grade iron ore reserves through overseas assets and joint ventures, alongside improvements to domestic supply and transport infrastructure.
It also advocates expanding slurry pipelines, which transport iron ore mixed with water, to reduce dependence on road and rail networks and improve logistics efficiency.
Coking coal demand is expected to triple to 236 million tonnes by 2047. As India imports around 92 per cent of its coking coal requirements, the draft proposes boosting domestic mining, expanding coal washeries, securing long-term supply agreements and using artificial intelligence to optimise coal blends.
The roadmap also calls for greater energy efficiency, increased renewable electricity use, scrap-based steelmaking, hydrogen-based technologies and carbon capture to support emissions reduction.
The policy seeks to promote value-added products, including stainless and speciality steel, while strengthening quality standards and conformity assessment mechanisms.
Digital transformation is another priority, with plans for common data standards, digital infrastructure and Industry 4.0 technologies, including trusted artificial intelligence and autonomous production systems.
International cooperation will also be encouraged to diversify raw material supplies, support steel trade and improve access to technology.
India, currently the world’s second-largest steel producer and consumer, aims to strengthen the sector’s global competitiveness while meeting rising domestic demand and reducing its environmental impact, the draft policy stated.
