In this issue

One of the lifelines of steelmaking in India – Sponge iron industry is sweating it over raw material issues and cheaper imports from China & other nations. Also, there has been a widening divide between sponge & scrap users as cheaper imported scrap is a good substitute for locally produced DRI. At the same time, the heavily invested PSUs are expanding capacities eating into the markets of the mini steel plants and the smaller producers. Between the government’s ambition of achieving 300 mnt steel capacity and Make in India initiative, the present scenario of the Indian steel industry is divided and a large set of steel makers are confused whether to invest further for survival or assume that the future belongs to integrated steel plants only.

Various economists and market experts have initiated a valid argument saying when a large section of steel companies are already reeling under distress owing to falling demand, why is the Union government going to establish new steel companies in the public sector? Does the government have an actual plan of action to salvage the dying secondary sector?

Meanwhile, the government may have different plans. It is developing ‘Ultra Mega Steel Projects’ with a yearly capacity of at least 10 million tonnes in mineral-rich states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. This is one such other initiative that indicates government’s active interest in steel making since investment in these mammoth projects will run into billions and does not seem possible without government support.

Although, the industry participants at different levels have tons of expectations from the government bodies, we have collated a brief list of budget expectations talking to heads of various industry associations. In the cover story, we have talked of the various Indian & Global events that are to watch for in 2016.

Steel 360 Magazine Description:

Steel 360 is a monthly magazine covering the metal and mining industry in India. The magazine has a readership of 50,000+ across the globe in the metal and mining fraternity across the country (print circulation only in India). Each issue of the magazine carries a highly informative cover story; write-ups on trending topics, market prices & offers, current news from the metal & mining industry, latest technology trends, columns from industry veterans, import-export statistics, information on upcoming events and much more.
The magazine is a comprehensive handbook to numerous Managing heads, Directors, CEOs, Technical Heads, Marketing/Purchase/Sales Managers, Analysts and other key decision-makers at various business groups in the metal, mining, research, financial services, infrastructure and other related sectors.

Web: https://www.steel-360.com