India Launches New R&D Initiatives for Steel Sector
The Steel Research Technology Mission of India (SRTMI) has unveiled three innovative research and development schemes along with a dedicated web portal aimed at enhancing the Indian steel industry. The launch event, titled “Catalyzing R&D in the Indian Steel Sector,” took place on March 12, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, with significant participation from leading steel companies, academic institutions, and international organizations.
Key Participants and Launch Highlights
The launch event attracted a diverse group of stakeholders, including major steel producers such as SAIL, JSW, Tata Steel, and JSPL, as well as prominent academic institutions like IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, and NIT Trichy. Notable international entities, including the Swedish Energy Agency and the Asian Development Bank, also participated, highlighting the global interest in India’s steel sector. Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, the Minister of State for Steel & Heavy Industries, officially launched the new R&D schemes and the SRTMI web portal. He emphasized the importance of these initiatives in fostering innovation and sustainability within the steel industry. Varma pointed out that as India aims for a steel production capacity of 300 million tons by 2030, these schemes will be crucial for accelerating technology commercialization and promoting indigenous manufacturing of capital goods.
New R&D Schemes Unveiled
During the event, three distinct R&D schemes were introduced by SRTMI:
-
- Challenge Method: This scheme focuses on identifying and addressing critical industry-wide challenges that are of national interest.
-
- Open Innovation Method: This initiative supports open research proposals from academia and researchers in collaboration with industry partners.
-
- Start-up Accelerator: This program aims to assist early-stage startups in developing cutting-edge technologies for the steel sector.
The newly launched SteelCollab platform will serve as a matchmaking hub, connecting industry leaders, researchers, and startups. This platform is designed to facilitate collaboration on issues such as decarbonization and digitalization, allowing steel companies to present their challenges while researchers and startups can propose innovative solutions.
Industry Insights and Future Directions
Shri Sandeep Poundrik, Secretary of the Ministry of Steel, highlighted India’s potential as a global hub for steel demand, projecting an increase in per capita consumption from approximately 100 kg to 158 kg by 2030. He addressed key challenges facing the industry, including the need for improved plant efficiency, the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and the imperative of decarbonization. Poundrik stressed the importance of research tailored to India’s unique industrial landscape, where 45% of steel production capacity is concentrated in the secondary sector.
Shri Amarendu Prakash, Chairman of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and President of SRTMI, reiterated the necessity for collaboration between industry and academia to enhance India’s competitiveness in the global steel market. He noted that India’s steel demand is growing at 11%, significantly outpacing the global average of 0.5%. The R&D schemes are expected to play a pivotal role in fostering joint research efforts.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Partnerships
The event concluded with a panel discussion on “Forging Innovation through Industry-Academia Collaboration,” which emphasized the need for pilot testing facilities and industry-aligned university programs. Participants discussed the critical role of startups in bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application, particularly in the areas of digital technologies and beneficiation processes.
A brainstorming session titled “Bridging the Gap Between Industry and Academia” featured 19 speakers from various sectors, discussing collaboration opportunities and research priorities across the steel value chain. The strong interest in collaborative research expressed by participants lays a solid foundation for future partnerships aimed at advancing innovation and technology development in the steel sector.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.