The Association of Indian Induction Furnace and Steel Manufacturers (AIIFA) formally inaugurated the 37th edition of its flagship International Conference, AIIFA Steelex 2025: A Steel Mahakumbh, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon. Themed “Profitable Sustainability – Green Steel: A Future Ecosystem,” the event serves as a premier platform for policymakers, steelmakers, innovators, global delegates, and industry experts to define India’s roadmap for sustainable steelmaking.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Industries Minister Uday Samant, senior state officials including Dr P Anbalagan (IAS), and Dr Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP India, alongside industry leaders Suraj Bhandari (Electrotherm India Ltd), Balasubramanian Prabhakaran (Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd), and AIIFA President Yogesh Mandhani.
The highlight of Steelex 2025 was the signing of nine MoUs between leading steel manufacturers and the Government of Maharashtra, representing a record investment commitment of ₹80,962 crore. These projects are projected to generate over 90,300 direct and indirect jobs across the state.
Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Shri Fadnavis, in his address, stressed the state’s ambition to rise from the fourth-largest steel producer in India to the number one position within the next eight years. He underlined Maharashtra’s focus on not just scaling production but becoming a hub for green steel exports, calling the transition a “national growth opportunity.”
Shri Joshi emphasized India’s mission to achieve 300 million tons of carbon-neutral steel production, with at least 50 million tons allocated for export, backed by five green hydrogen hub pilot projects at Kandla, Paradip, and Pipavav ports. Industries Minister Shri Samant spoke about Gadchiroli’s transformation into an industrial hub and reiterated the government’s commitment to rehabilitating former Naxalites through job creation in the steel industry.
The regional investment breakdown reflects Maharashtra’s integrated industrial development strategy. Vidarbha will attract projects worth ₹33,842 crore, led by Rashmi Metallurgical Industry’s ₹25,000-crore mega project creating 20,000 jobs, Hariom Pipes’ ₹3,135-crore project generating 2,500 jobs, and investments from Sumeth Tools, Icon Steel, and GR Krishna Ferro Alloys. Marathwada will benefit from NPSPL Advanced Material’s ₹5,440-crore investment expected to create 2,500 jobs in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, while Pune’s automotive component ecosystem will gain from Filtrum Autocomp’s ₹100-crore project with 1,200 jobs. The largest single investment comes from Jindal Stainless Ltd, which will set up a ₹41,580-crore stainless steel greenfield project in Raigad, creating 60,000 jobs and positioning the Konkan region as a strategic hub for large-scale steel manufacturing.
In addition to investment announcements, AIIFA conferred Green Steel Certificates to seven companies, including Bhagwati Steel Cast (Nashik), Bhagyalaxmi Rolling Mills (Jalna), Devashree Ispat (Telangana), Guardian Castings (Palghar), Mono Steel (Gujarat), Rathi & Co. (Jalna), and SRJ Peety Steels (Jalna), recognizing their efforts in adopting clean, energy-efficient steelmaking processes. The event agenda spans eight knowledge sessions and five industry roundtables addressing regulatory frameworks, logistics optimization, financing solutions, and policy measures to boost competitiveness. Key discussions include the National Mission on Sustainable Steel, AI adoption in steel manufacturing, supply chain resilience, GST and power cost challenges, and workforce skilling initiatives needed to meet future capacity targets.
India’s secondary steel sector has recorded sustained growth of 4–7% annually, significantly outpacing global averages, and achieved 33% growth in crude steel production between 2019–2024. Steelex 2025 reflects India’s resolve to maintain this momentum while pivoting to green steel production, aligning with the country’s Net Zero 2070 target. AIIFA President Mr. Yogesh Mandhani summarized the vision, stating that profitability and sustainability must reinforce each other to build a globally competitive steel ecosystem.
