Tata Steel Today

As a result of innovations and technological upgradation, Tata Steel, has become a well-run ultra modern plant - one of the best in the world. Fundamental changes in some metallurgical parameters have brought about this remarkable transformation. Necessity became the mother of invention and numerous innovations invoked improvement. The metallurgical changes introduced were essentially centered around:

• Reducing alumina level in sinter from 4.4 to 2.5 %.

• Improving in coke quality

• Making changes in the fluxes used in sintermaking essentially to decrease the alkali input.

• Adopting the optimum LD vessel configuration and blowing conditions to accommodate the high slag volume required to deal with high silicon and phosphorus in Indian hot metal.

• Increasing the yield during LD steelmaking

• Introducing continuous casting (CC) instead of ingot casting to increase the net yield.

All these factors have made Tata Steel internationally cost competitive. In terms of hot metal costs, Tata Steel is amongst the lowest in the world and has a clear advantage over other major integrated producers. The cost of conversion from hot metal to a finished product such as hot rolled coils where Tata Steel has not been very competitive so far would be taken care of in the near future as investments already made to achieve the results foreseen. High ash in coke, poor room temperature and high temperature strengths of coke, high alumina in the iron oxide feed, high silicon in hot metal, low yields during steelmaking, low yield of finished products, high energy consumption, high manpower, etc. have been the weaknesses not only of Tata Steel but of the Indian Steel industry as a whole.

Appropriate steps taken by the Company have already resulted in better yield lower energy consumption, lower silicon in hot metal, lower silicon in hot metal, lower lime consumption in steelmaking, higher vessel life, etc., all of which augur well for the Steel Company in future.

Tata Steel in The New Millennium

Tata Steel is all set to establish itself as the supplier of choice by delighting all its customers with its products and services. The Organisation is envisaged to become the most cost competitive Steel plant to serve the community and the nation. Where Tata Steel would venture, others will follow. The 21st century will certainly see a new Tata Steel - an integrated Steel plant in India with truly world class facilities along with a will to win amongst a committed and streamlined workforce.