India's Steel Revolution: Embracing Scraps for a Sustainable Future

India's steel industry aims to significantly increase steel scrap usage to foster sustainable growth and meet future capacity goals. Current scrap usage is about 21%, but needs to rise to the global average of 31%. Stronger governmental and industrial policies are required to bridge the ecosystem's maturity gap.

India is pushing to amplify the use of steel scrap in its production processes, with a senior government official spotlighting its necessity for sustainable development at the 13th International Material Recycling Conference and Exposition 2026. The move is seen as pivotal for reducing emissions and achieving future capacity targets.

Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Steel, Daya Nidhan Pandey, emphasized the urgency of increasing steel scrap use to match the global average of 31%. Currently, India, the world's second-largest steel producer, uses about 21% scrap in crude steel production. More robust policies from both government and industry are deemed essential.

The joint secretary noted that as infrastructure, vehicles, and industrial assets reach end-of-life, India's scrap generation will steadily increase, creating new and reliable sources. He stressed the need for policies that improve supply and demand chains to enhance the steel ecosystem and international competitiveness.

(With inputs from agencies.)