India aims to achieve 300 million tonnes steel capacity by 2030: Government official

New Delhi — India’s steel sector is targeting a production capacity of 300 million tonnes by 2030 and 400 million tonnes by 2035, as part of efforts to position the country as a global leader in steel manufacturing, a government official said on Tuesday.

Sandeep Poundrik, Secretary in the Ministry of Steel, outlined the sector’s ambitious expansion roadmap during a high-level interactive session convened by the government with senior diplomats from across the world to strengthen strategic collaboration, according to an official statement.

The ministry also presented a preview of ‘Bharat Steel 2026,’ an international conference-cum-exhibition scheduled to be held on April 16–17, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Diplomats were invited to share suggestions to help shape the roadmap for the event.

Poundrik highlighted the rapid modernisation of India’s steel sector and invited global partnerships as the domestic industry transitions toward low-carbon production pathways and advanced processing technologies. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to building resilient and sustainable global supply chains driven by innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

India’s strategy focuses on strengthening raw material security, accelerating technology transfer, promoting green and sustainable steel production, and deepening international collaboration, he added.

The session saw strong participation from the diplomatic community, with representatives appreciating India’s forward-looking vision and expressing interest in participating in Bharat Steel 2026, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) noted that producing one tonne of recycled steel saves 1.1 tonnes of iron ore and 630 kg of coking coal, while reducing emissions by 28 per cent, underscoring the importance of scrap in India’s growth strategy.

Analysts pointed out that scrap-based production offers a practical short-term decarbonisation solution, especially as India’s carbon intensity stands at 2.55 tonnes of CO? per tonne of steel.

Steel demand in India is projected to grow steadily at around 8 per cent in FY26, translating into incremental demand of 11–12 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).

With inputs from IANS