THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

HAZIRA/NEW DELHI, APRIL 30, 2026

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has taken a significant leap in strengthening India's automotive steel manufacturing ecosystem with the inauguration of its state-of-the-art Pickling Line and Tandem Cold Mill (PLTCM) at its flagship Hazira plant in Gujarat.

The cutting-edge facility was inaugurated by His Excellency Mr. Keiichi Ono, Ambassador of Japan to India, marking a major milestone in India's journey towards self-reliance in advanced automotive steel production.

With an annual capacity of 2 million tonnes, the newly commissioned PLTCM will manufacture high-quality cold-rolled base steel, enabling AM/NS India to produce world-class automotive steel solutions, including first-of-its-kind and patented products developed by its parent companies, ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel.

The facility is expected to play a transformative role in making India fully self-sufficient in the production of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS), a critical material for the country's rapidly expanding automotive sector.

Among the most technologically advanced steel processing lines in India, the PLTCM integrates superior automation, globally benchmarked quality systems, and advanced process technologies. It will cater to the production of a wide range of premium automotive steels, including AHSS, Galvannealed (GA), Galvanised (GI), and Press Hardened Steel (PHS), offering end-to-end solutions to automotive manufacturers.

Designed to meet global sustainability standards, the new line will support vehicle lightweighting, improve fuel efficiency, enhance safety, and align with Bharat NCAP norms. The facility will also enable the production of AHSS grades with strength levels of up to 1180 MPa.

The inauguration is part of AM/NS India's ambitious ₹60,000-crore expansion programme at Hazira, aimed at significantly enhancing upstream, downstream, and supporting infrastructure.

During his visit, Ambassador Keiichi Ono toured the sprawling Hazira complex and praised the collaboration between India and Japan.

 “I congratulate AM/NS India on the commencement of production at its state-of-the-art automotive steel sheet production line at the Hazira plant.

Japanese advanced technology has contributed significantly to the launch of high-end steel product manufacturing in India. This signifies that Japan’s contribution to the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative has entered a new phase.

Japan and India share a mutually complementary relationship, where Japan’s technology and capital are complemented by India’s manufacturing capacity and growing demand. Having witnessed the vitality of the Hazira Steel Plant firsthand, I am confident that industrial cooperation between Japan and India, and the future of Viksit Bharat, will be a bright one,” he said.

Dilip Oommen, Chief Executive Officer of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, underscored the strategic importance of the new facility.

 “ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India is firmly committed to the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. In line with the commitment and guided by our brand promise – ‘Smarter Steels, Brighter Futures’, we are building state-of-the-art steelmaking assets by leveraging the unparalleled technology and expertise of our parent companies, ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel – both globally recognised leaders for offering the best automotive steel solutions.

The inauguration of the Pickling Line and Tandem Cold Mill (PLTCM) marks an important milestone in this journey, creating the foundation for manufacturing high quality, high grade automotive steels domestically. This will support import substitution, enhance supply chain resilience, and enable the automotive industry’s transition towards safer, lighter, and more sustainable mobility solutions. It reinforces India’s position as a competitive manufacturing hub aligned with the requirements of next-generation vehicles and global automotive standards,” Oommen said.

The investment comes at a time when India's flat automotive steel demand stands at 7.8 million tonnes annually and is projected to grow by 6-7 per cent each year. As the world's third-largest automobile producer, India is steadily advancing towards becoming the second largest, creating immense opportunities for high-value steel manufacturing.