Helped by record productions in September, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has reported the best first-half production since inception during April to September, 2008.
The steel plant achieved all time best production for any September month in major production departments such as hot metal output of 1,87,036 tonnes, total crude steel production of 1,75,504 tonnes and total saleable steel production of 1,71,640 tonnes. These production figures correspond to capacity utilization of 114 percent, 112 percent and 125 percent respectively.
Similarly, best ever September was achieved in the production of Total Hot Rolled Coils at 1,33,330 tonnes, Hot Rolled Coils for Sale at 67,028 tonnes and Plates (from Plate Mill) at 44,006 tonnes. Incidentally the production in each of these areas was more than 100 percent of the targets envisaged in the Annual Performance Plan for September.
This has helped RSP to achieve all time best production levels for the April-September period in major areas like Hot Metal: 1.12 million tonnes, Crude Steel: 1.05 million tonnes and Total Saleable Steel: 1.01 million tonnes. These figures represent growth of nearly 6 percent, 7 percent and 3 percent over the corresponding period of last year.
All-time best first half performance was also achieved in Finished Products like Plates from Plate Mill: 2,36,047 tonnes, Hot Rolled Coils (for sale): 3,94,867 tonnes and Cold Rolled Non Oriented (CRNO) steel: 40,608 tonnes.
RSP is focusing on maximising capacity utilization in all areas of operation. Its endeavour by way of improving operating parameters has also led to improvements in ‘energy consumption’ per tonne of crude steel, ‘coke rate’ per tonne of hot metal, refractory lining life of SMS LD Converters and several other parameters, which has helped in controlling costs and improving profitability.
