ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has commissioned a new Pickling Line and Tandem Cold Mill (PLTCM) at its flagship Hazira facility, with the inauguration led by His Excellency Keiichi Ono, Ambassador of Japan to India. The newly commissioned line has a production capacity of 2 million tonnes per annum and is designed to strengthen the company’s presence in the automotive steel segment. The facility will manufacture high-quality cold rolled base steel for advanced applications, including specialised and patented products developed by its parent companies, ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel.
The addition of the PLTCM marks a key step towards enhancing domestic production of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS), supporting India’s efforts to reduce reliance on imports and meet the evolving requirements of the automotive industry. The line integrates modern process technologies, automation systems and globally aligned quality standards, enabling the production of steel grades used in AHSS, galvannealed, galvanised and press hardened applications.
The facility is expected to play a critical role in enabling the production of high-performance automotive steel with strength levels reaching up to 1180 MPa. These materials are essential for improving vehicle safety, reducing weight and meeting sustainability standards, including compliance with Bharat NCAP norms.
The commissioning is part of AM/NS India’s ongoing ₹60,000-crore expansion programme at Hazira, which includes the development of upstream and downstream capabilities along with supporting infrastructure.
During the inauguration, Ambassador Keiichi Ono highlighted the importance of collaboration between India and Japan, noting that the integration of advanced Japanese technology with India’s manufacturing ecosystem represents a new phase in industrial cooperation. He expressed confidence in the continued growth of the partnership and its contribution to India’s development goals.
Dilip Oommen, Chief Executive Officer of AM/NS India, stated that the new facility reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities. He added that the project supports national initiatives focused on self-reliance and positions India to meet the growing demand for high-grade automotive steel.
India’s demand for value-added flat steel currently stands at approximately 7.8 million tonnes annually and is expected to grow at a steady pace. As the country continues to expand its automotive production capacity, the need for advanced materials is increasing.
ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel are joint venture partners in ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, a leading integrated flat carbon steel producer in the country. The company has a crude steel capacity of 9 million tonnes per annum, advanced downstream facilities, and a pellet production capacity of 20 million tonnes, serving diverse sectors with a broad portfolio of flat and value-added steel products.
