PNS | VIJAYAWADA
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Andhra Pradesh, organised the Conference on Steel & Alloys at Tirupati, with the theme Shaping the Future of Steel – Sustainable, Efficient & Innovative.
In his inaugural address, Neerabh Kumar Prasad, Special Chief Secretary, Environment, Forest, Science & Technology, said that the steelmakers of the country had a huge role to play in this ‘Amrit Kaal’, to meet the aspirations of the people of India to make India a $five-trillion economy in a few years, under the flagship ‘Make in India’ and Atma Nirbhar programmes. The steel production capacity is estimated to increase to 300 million tonnes per year by 2030 and to around 500 million TPY by 2047, fuelled by the constant increase in demand due to economic growth, real estate developments and infrastructure push with schemes like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, setting up of the National Investment and Manufacturing Zone, smart cities etc.
He added: “As the steel industry has made significant progress towards sustainability, it faces challenges that need to be addressed for a more sustainable future. These challenges include reducing carbon emissions, ensuring responsible sourcing of raw materials, and managing water and energy consumption. The adoption of greener technologies and renewable energy sources can significantly minimise the industry’s environmental impact. The industry needs to undergo transformation towards green steel production. Innovative technologies like electric arc furnaces (EAF) and hydrogen-based direct reduction processes need to be adopted to reduce carbon emissions significantly.”
Priya Manjari Todi, Chairperson, CII Tirupati and Whole Time Director, Electrosteel Castings Ltd., said in her theme address that it was the vision for the steel industry that emphasised on the three pillars: sustainability, efficiency, and innovation. This vision is in response to the challenges and opportunities faced by the steel industry in the context of global economic, environmental, and technological trends.
Prof K Satyanarayana, Director, IIT Tirupati, in his speech stressed the industry-institute collaboration and serious challenge of availability of manpower. He highlighted the potential the Tirupati region held in terms of generating employment with a wide range of industrial workspace availability in the region.
Vijay Naidu Galla, former chairman, CII AP, Vijay Naidu Galla, former chairman, CII AP, AK Padhy, Executive Director–Commercial, NMDC; Rajiv Prakash, Senior Vice President, Electrosteel Castings Ltd; Hari Babu Upadhyay, Chief – Steel Making, Tata Steel; Badal Balchandani, Associate Vice President, Corporate Sustainability, JSW Group; Sridhar Krishnamoorthy, Managing Director, Arjas Steel Pvt Ltd; V Raghavan, Head – Auto Sales & Service Centre, Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India; N Muthusezhiyan, Deputy Executive Director, CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre; Harshavardhan Hebsur, General Manager – Sales, Danieli India Ltd; TAB Barathi, Vice President – SCM, Wheels India Ltd and DM Girish, Vice President – Purchasing, Volvo India also spoke.
