ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has inaugurated a pickling line and tandem cold mill (PLTCM) at its Hazira facility in Gujarat, strengthening its automotive steel production capabilities.
The new unit has a capacity of 2 mln tons per annum and will produce cold-rolled base steel for advanced automotive applications, including advanced high-strength steel, galvanized, galvannealed and press hardened steel.
The facility incorporates advanced automation and process technologies and is designed to support the production of high-strength steel grades of up to 1180 MPa, catering to the growing demand for lightweight and safety-focused automotive solutions.
The project forms part of the company’s ongoing INR 600 bln (USD 6.3 bln) expansion programme at its Hazira plant, aimed at enhancing upstream and downstream capabilities.
AM/NS India said the new line will support domestic production of high-grade automotive steel, reducing import dependence and strengthening supply chain resilience in line with India’s manufacturing initiatives.
India’s demand for flat steel used in automotive applications is currently estimated at around 7.8 mln tons per year and is expected to grow at 6-7% annually, driven by the expansion of the domestic automotive sector.
AM/NS India is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, with a crude steel capacity of around 9 mln tons per year. The company produces a diversified range of flat steel products, including value-added grades, and has a pellet capacity of 20 mln tons. It is also developing an 8.2 mln tons per annum integrated steel plant in Andhra Pradesh and is the only integrated steel producer in India to have received the Green Steel Certificate from the Ministry of Steel.
