AM/NS India launches state-of-the-art Continuous Galvanising Line, revolutionizing automotive steel production in India

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

MUMBAI/DELHI, JULY 16, 2025

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has successfully commissioned a cutting-edge Continuous Galvanising Line (CGL) at its flagship plant in Hazira, Gujarat, becoming the first company in India capable of producing Advanced High-Strength Steel (AHSS) with strength levels of up to 1180 megapascals (MPa). This milestone positions AM/NS India at the forefront of the evolving automotive sector, providing steel that offers exceptional safety, durability, and sustainability — key requirements for next-generation mobility solutions.

The new CGL is part of the company’s ambitious Rs 60,000-crore expansion project, which aims to scale up both upstream and downstream facilities. This initiative, inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, is designed to significantly enhance steel production across a wide range of grades, meeting the growing demands of various industries, including automotive.

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The cutting-edge CGL is equipped with global best-in-class technology from AM/NS India’s parent companies, ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, and is set to redefine India’s automotive steel market. The line will produce Galvanised (GI) and Galvannealed (GA) coated flat steels, including products licensed by ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel. These steel variants are designed for high-formability, recyclability, and fuel efficiency through lightweighting, making them ideal for modern vehicles that need to meet stringent India’s Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) Phase III norms, effective from April 2027.

Dilip Oommen, CEO of AM/NS India, remarked, “The commissioning of this pioneering Continuous Galvanising Line marks a significant achievement in our Rs 60,000-crore expansion journey, as launched by Prime Minister Modi ji. Our focus on this innovative steel production technology allows us to offer products that match the quality found in developed nations. This is just the beginning as we continue to deliver the highest-strength steel to the automotive sector and contribute to India’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat@2047.’”

Oommen further emphasized, “With the constant support from our parent companies, we are setting new benchmarks in steel production. This unique line will play a crucial role in advancing India’s self-reliance, particularly in meeting the rising demand for high-performance automotive steel.”

The launch of this state-of-the-art galvanising unit enhances AM/NS India’s downstream capabilities and aligns with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. By offering import-substitute products, AM/NS India bridges the gap between domestic demand and the availability of specialized, high-end steel, thus boosting India’s global competitiveness. This also supports the government’s vision to strengthen domestic steel production, especially through downstream capacity building under initiatives like the PLI scheme.

The facility incorporates modern environmental technologies, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions intensity compared to conventional CGLs. Through innovations like waste heat recovery, advanced thermal energy control, regenerative electrical drives, and electrolytic hydrogen (H₂) use, the new plant supports AM/NS India’s commitment to Green Steel Taxonomy and broader sustainability objectives.

As part of its expansion, AM/NS India plans to increase production capacity at the Hazira plant from the current 9 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 15 MTPA, with a target of 24 MTPA. The company is also progressing with plans to establish an integrated steel plant in Andhra Pradesh, with land acquisition already underway. Additionally, AM/NS India is advancing efforts to build integrated steel facilities in Odisha, where it already has a substantial presence.

Alongside these developments, AM/NS India has intensified its focus on decarbonising steel production. The company is integrating renewable energy into its operations, adopting energy-efficient technologies, and exploring low-carbon pathways to align with India’s climate goals and the global shift towards sustainable steel production.

This commissioning is a key step in AM/NS India’s broader strategy to enhance its steel production capabilities, revolutionizing the sector with high-performance, eco-friendly steel solutions that meet both industry and sustainability standards.