by Ashis Sinah
Bokaro: The two-day international conference, APT-FS 2024, focused on “Advancement in Processing Technology of Flat Steel Products,” was inaugurated at Bokaro Steel Plant’s (BSL) Learning and Development Centre. Jointly organized by Bokaro Steel Plant and the Indian Institute of Metals, Bokaro Chapter, the event gathered experts from various sectors.
SAIL Chairman Amarendu Prakash, addressing the conference online, highlighted a significant rise in per capita steel consumption in India, from 50 kg to 95 kg over the past six years. He emphasized the goal of increasing the country’s steel production capacity to 300 million tonnes annually by 2030, while also prioritizing carbon emission reductions. He urged participants to explore green steel production technologies.
Bokaro Steel Plant’s Director-in-Charge, Birendra Kumar Tiwari, welcomed attendees and underscored the importance of self-reliance in steel production. He described the conference as a vital platform for discussing advanced steel technologies, which could aid in achieving industry de-carbonization goals.
During the technical sessions, topics included enhancing flat steel processing with niobium, utilizing recycled energy in green steel production, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through advanced technologies. Challenges in producing advanced hot-rolled steel and addressing defects in hot-rolled coils were also discussed.
Participants included representatives from Tata Steel, JSW, and various academic institutions, who collaborated to create a roadmap for low-cost, high-quality flat steel production using advanced technologies.