THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 5, 2026

Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has posted its best-ever performance for the first half of 2026-27 across key production, sales and efficiency parameters, supported by higher output of value-added steel, improved operational efficiency and a sharp focus on financial discipline.

During April-September 2026, SAIL produced a record 10.2 million tonnes (MT) of hot metal, 9.6 MT of crude steel and 8.39 MT of finished steel, registering growth of 2 per cent, 1 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively, over the year-ago period.

The share of finished steel in total saleable steel production rose to 89.2 per cent in the first half, from 86.8 per cent in the corresponding period last year, reflecting the company's focus on improving its product mix and realisations.

SAIL's high-end steel production also touched a new high of around 2 MT during the six-month period, recording a robust 30 per cent growth over the corresponding period last year.

The company said both iron ore production and sales registered their best-ever April-September performance. Iron ore production grew 13 per cent year-on-year, while iron ore sales jumped 190 per cent to 2.671 MT.

Dispatches to Indian Railways also remained strong, with supplies of long rails and wheels and axles rising 7 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively, over the year-ago period.

On the operational efficiency front, specific energy consumption improved to 6.17 G.Cal per tonne of crude steel, marking SAIL's best-ever first-half performance with a 0.5 per cent improvement.

The company also reduced inventory by around 0.145 MT and borrowings by approximately Rs 1,080 crore during the first half of the fiscal.

The momentum continued in September, when SAIL recorded its highest-ever monthly saleable steel sales for the month at 1.69 MT, up 4 per cent from September 2025.

Its flagship retail brand SAIL SeQR TMT bars recorded its highest-ever monthly sales of more than 1.5 lakh tonnes, while Tier-II retail sales increased 3 per cent year-on-year.

September also saw record sales of structurals, Plate Mill plates and galvanised plain (GP) sheets/coils, the company said.

The share of finished steel in total saleable steel production improved further to 92 per cent in September, compared with 89 per cent a year earlier. Fuel rate also improved to 551 kg per tonne of hot metal, the best-ever September performance, marking a 1 per cent improvement.

Iron ore production rose 8 per cent year-on-year in September, while sales surged 134 per cent to a record 0.492 MT.

SAIL also reduced inventory by around 0.192 MT and borrowings by approximately Rs 208 crore during September.

"These record achievements in the first half of FY26-27 and September reflect the collective commitment of our workforce towards efficiency, innovation, and sustainable growth," SAIL Chairman and Managing Director A.K. Panda said.

"With broad-based production strength and a sharper focus on high-end steel, SAIL is well positioned to contribute even more strongly to India's industrial progress in the months ahead," he added.

The strong first-half performance comes as SAIL seeks to consolidate its operating efficiencies, strengthen its value-added product portfolio and maintain financial prudence, providing a stronger base for the remainder of 2026-27.