Steel major ArcelorMittal expects to achieve a production capacity of 8.6 million tpa by end-2024 from its India operations. It has planned for augmenting capacities to 15 million tpa by first half of 2026 in Hazira in Gujarat.

The company is currently carrying out debottlenecking at Hazira and will look at investing an additional USD one billion in automotive downstream capacity and enhancements to iron ore operations. The long-term expansion plan is to increase capacity to 20 million tpa, even as it focuses on doubling both upstream amd downstream capacity.

The Phase 1-A programme at Hazira comprises a cold rolling mill (CRM-2) complex and a galvanising and annealing line, two blast furnaces, a steel shop, ancillary equipment and raw material handling equipment. The first blast furnace is due to start production in 2025, while the second one is set for operational commencement in 2026.

Moreover, the company plans to commence a long products facility at Paradeep, Odisha with an annual capacity of seven MT and a greenfield flat steel plant at Kendrapara, Odisha with an annual capacity of 14 MT.

Besides, as part of its decarbonisation strategy, the one GW renewable energy project in India is scheduled for completion in H1/CY24.

Further, the company intends to commission the continuous galvanising line (called CGL4) in Q3/CY23, and will launch a high-performance steel alloy, Magnelis products in India, to cater to renewables and solar product markets.

ArcelorMittal’s India operations are undertaken by JV ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AMNS India).