Steel use to surge by 2010

Even as the world steel industry is witnessing a growth phase which is compared with post-World War II period, the Indian Steel industry is also poised to make new strides, SAIL chairman S K Roongta said.

"According to IISI predictions, the growth in consumption of steel in India would be the highest in the world, surpassing China after 2010," Roongta said, addressing the inaugural session of the two-day symposium on International Symposium on Future Technologies in Iron and Steel Making, which concluded in Bhilai yesterday.

SAIL chairman added steel consumption was steered primarily by the GDP growth rate and the population. Some of the major concerns before the industry were environment, sustainability, safety and energy, he said.

The SAIL chairman also emphasised developing corrosion-resistant and earthquake-resistant steel that is affordable for common man.

Managing director of Bhilai Steel Plant, R Ramaraju, in his address spoke on the technological revolution in steel making during the last four decades. He described major advancements in blast furnace operations, steel-making and casting.

He also added that the applications of steel in the agriculture, road, rail, energy, infrastructure and other sectors were the yardstick of how the steel industry has progressed.

"We must make investment plans and choose right technology so that our company gets benefits. The meeting will generate ideas that could be taken from the drawing board to the project sites," Ramaraju added.