Paradip: The ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, on Thursday announced commissioning of a second 6 million tonne per annum (MTPA) pellet plant at Paradeep in Odisha.
The plant doubled production capacity at AM/NS India’s Paradeep complex to 12 million tonnes, making it the largest single-location pelletization complex in India and taking AM/NS India’s national pelletization capacity to 20 MTPA.
AM/NS India Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dilip Oommen said, “The commissioning of our second pellet plant at Paradeep is an important milestone for AM/NS India, allowing us to contribute meaningfully to India’s aim of achieving domestic steel production capacity of 300 MT in the coming decade.”
“Our ability to make the plant operational despite the challenges of the past 18 months is a testament to the commitment of our teams at Paradeep and across the country, working in partnership with the Odisha government, which continues to make strides with its ‘Invest Odisha’ ambition for the resource-rich State,” the CEO said.
He further said that AM/ NS India will continue investing in Odisha, a promising hub for Indian steel production, and the company is currently progressing plans for a greenfield steel plant in Odisha.
“Paradeep’s pellet plant II coming on stream significantly advances our capacity to produce superior quality direct reduced iron grade pellets for domestic steel production. It also supports AM/NS India’s longer-term plans to grow its national steel production up to 30 MTPA,” said AM/NS India Chief Operating Officer, Wim Van Gerven.
The company’s national pellet production operations comprise 12 MTPA at Paradeep and 8 MTPA at Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Paradeep’s pellet plant II was commissioned by Wim Van Gerven, along with G Suresha, Executive Director, Odisha Operations, TS Shanbhogue, Executive Director, Strategic Projects, USR Raju, Head – Pellet Plant Operations, and PK Mohanty, Head- HR, IR and Administration, Odisha.