JSW to quadruple galvalume capacity

JSW Steel will increase its galvalume capacity to 600,000 tonnes by October from 150,000 tonnes, according to Jayant Acharya, senior vice-president,sales and marketing.

Galvalume is a zinc-aluminium alloy coated steel with superior corrosion resistance.

The company will invest up to Rs 80 crore to upgrade the galvalume lines.

Acharya was speaking at a dealers' meet here ahead of the launch of galvalume. The company currently has six galvanising lines, of which one line currently produces galvalume with the other lines making zinc-coated galvanised steel products.

Of these five lines, two lines will be upgraded for making galvalume. "The company will also increase colour-coating capacity to 200,000 tonnes by October from 100,000 tonnes," Acharya said.

"The cost of manufacturing galvalume is 2.5 per cent more than zinc-coated galvanised steel products while the price realisation is 4 per cent higher."

Global demand for galvalume was 8 million tonnes, of which 2 million tonnes come from the US alone. Globally, 55 per cent of galvalume produced finds application in the construction industry while the rest is consumed in automotive and agriculture sectors.

"Currently, 100,000 tonnes of galvalume is imported into India, mostly from Australia and Taiwa."

Australia-based Bluescope Steel is a major supplier of Galvalume to India.