NEW DELHI
India’s push for self-reliance in the automotive sector received a massive boost as ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) inaugurated a cutting-edge automotive steel production line at its flagship plant in Hazira, Gujarat.
The facility is a cornerstone of the company’s ₹60,000-crore expansion plan and a significant step toward the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) vision.
The new Pickling Line and Tandem Cold Mill (PLTCM), which boasts an annual capacity of 2 million tonnes, was officially opened by Japan’s Ambassador to India, Keiichi Ono. The facility is engineered to produce Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS), a critical material for modern vehicles that has historically been heavily imported.
The inauguration marks a deepening of industrial ties between India and Japan, merging Japanese technical precision with India’s growing manufacturing scale.
- Import Substitution: By producing automotive-grade cold-rolled steel domestically, AM/NS India aims to slash the country’s reliance on foreign steel.
- Capacity: The 2-million-tonne line directly addresses India’s growing demand for automotive flat steel, currently estimated at 7.8 million tonnes per annum.
- Sustainability: The facility will produce materials for safer and lighter vehicles, aiding the automotive industry’s transition toward sustainable mobility.
This project is part of a broader strategy to enhance both upstream and downstream capabilities at the Hazira site. With the Indian automotive sector projected to grow by 7% annually, the new line positions AM/NS India as a primary supplier for the next generation of Indian-made cars.
The company also reaffirmed its upcoming leadership change, current CEO Dilip Oommen is set to retire on June 30, with CFO Amit Harlalka slated to take the helm on July 1. Under this new leadership, AM/NS India plans to continue its aggressive expansion to meet the evolving needs of the “Make in India, Make for the World” initiative.
| Facility Feature | Detail |
| Technology | Pickling Line and Tandem Cold Mill (PLTCM) |
| Annual Capacity | 2 Million Tonnes |
| Key Products | Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS), Galvanized, Press-hardened steel |
| Location | Hazira, Gujarat |