Swedish steelmaker SSAB has taken successful legal action against two India-based companies, Naresh Steel & Engineering Co. and Parmar Steel, for dealing in counterfeit Hardox wear plates. The companies were found selling substandard steel falsely marked with the Hardox trademark and SSAB logo, along with forged mill certificates.
The products, while presented as genuine Hardox wear plate, had severe quality issues and failed to meet SSAB’s standards. Following an investigation and a lawsuit, both firms admitted to trademark infringement and “passing off”. They were ordered to stop using SSAB’s trademarks, pay exemplary damages, and issued unconditional public apologies, committing them to cease such activities.
SSAB emphasized that genuine Hardox wear plate is produced exclusively in Sweden and is only available through SSAB and certified distributors. Each month, the company removes hundreds of online listings, marketplace ads, and social media pages promoting counterfeit Hardox products.
“In the Mumbai region alone, many traders falsely claim to sell Hardox steel,” said Subodh Shinde, Country Head of SSAB Steel India. “Counterfeit products pose serious operational, financial, and safety risks. We’re committed to protecting customers by aggressively enforcing our trademark rights.”
Hardox wear plate is a premium product known for its extreme hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. SSAB advises customers to be wary of unusually low prices, a key indicator of counterfeit goods, and to buy only from SSAB-certified suppliers.
